The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all hajj carriers for the next year’s airlifts to promptly issue flight tickets to pilgrims.

Chairman of NAHCON, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said this yesterday during a meeting with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and 2026 Hajj air carriers held in the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The directive, he said, is aimed at ensuring that every pilgrim is fully aware of his or her exact departure schedule vis-a-vis date, time and place of departure.

According to him, the arrangement would drastically reduce incidents of incorrect pre- arrival data sent to Saudi Arabia which affects Nusuk card distribution and other logistics.

He said, “Beginning with the 2026 Hajj, missing a flight will attract grave consequences. This is because each pilgrim’s ticket will be digitally linked to their Nusuk Card, which will be pre-positioned in their assigned buses in Saudi Arabia. These buses will convey them to their hotels. Hence, after visa issuance, a pilgrim cannot change groups again; pilgrims will thereafter maintain the group under which his or her visa was processed. And each group of 45 will travel together under a leader, be lodged together in same hotel in Makkah, Madinah and Masha’ir and return to Nigeria together after Hajj.

“Additionally, NAHCON must upload pre arrival data on the Nusuk Masar platform 72 hours before departure of any aircraft conveying pilgrims. This data includes group numbers, names of group members, accommodation details, building assigned, and bed-space number. Any pilgrim who fails to show up for the scheduled flight will be treated as a no-show and will bear the penalty, which may include paying for the un-utilized seat. Same goes for any defaulting party.”

The Commission Chief said Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a boarding card to be issued to each pilgrim before departure.

The card will contain in addition to the above information, other vital details such as names of airline, its capacity, name of state, name and number of pilgrims on board, departure airport, time and destination airport, arrival time and arrival airport.

Special Assistant (General Matters) to the NAHCON Chairman, Dr. Danbaba Haruna, said the commission has concluded its camp booking and other services.

He urged State boards to expedite remittance of Hajj fare payments so as not to lose more slots.

In another development, airline allocation for the Hajj exercise has been communicated to each State Pilgrims’ Board with a recommendation to liaise with one another.

The carriers are Air Peace, Fly Nas, Max Air and Umza Air. (The Nation)