The Ogun State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Saudi airline Flynas rejected the Gateway International Airport as a transportation hub for pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described the report titled ‘Pilgrims stranded as Saudi airline shuns Ogun airport’ as misleading and inaccurate.
According to the statement, the relocation of the second batch of pilgrims from the airport was not connected to safety, infrastructure or operational concerns at the facility.
The government explained that the development arose from the inability of Saudi aviation authorities to secure a landing slot for Max Air, the airline engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the operation.
It stated that the scheduling challenge was communicated barely two weeks before the planned flight operations, forcing the commission to redirect affected pilgrims to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as an alternative.
The government maintained that Flynas did not reject the airport on the basis of any safety or infrastructural deficiencies, contrary to the report’s claims.
It added that the first batch of pilgrims had earlier departed successfully from the airport without incident, describing the operation as a major milestone for aviation and Hajj logistics in Nigeria.
The statement further noted that the airport, commissioned on 4 April 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a fully certified international aviation facility approved for Hajj operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.
According to the government, the airport has undergone several technical and safety audits since 2025 and is equipped with advanced aviation infrastructure, including a Category II Instrument Landing System, precision navigation systems and modern weather monitoring equipment.
It also stated that the runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.
The government stressed that no aviation authority would have approved the facility for operations if there were concerns regarding safety or operational standards, adding that the airport has also handled presidential flights.
While reaffirming its support for press freedom, the state government urged media organisations to verify information before publication, especially on matters relating to aviation and critical national infrastructure.
