NAHCON UNDER SCRUTINY OVER HAJJ 2026 AIRLINE SLOT ALLOCATIONS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is facing growing scrutiny following reports of possible challenges in airline slot allocations for the 2026 Hajj operations.
An investigative report published by Hajj Gazette on January 12, 2026, warned of a potential diplomatic and operational issue between Nigeria and the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), linked to alleged non-compliance with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Concerned stakeholder, Hon. Aminu Sulaiman Khalid Maidoki, has formally called on NAHCON to clarify how it plans to comply with the BASA requirement that 50 percent of Nigerian pilgrims be airlifted by a Saudi-designated carrier. Analysts warn that failure to meet this condition could result in Nigerian airlines losing landing slots in Saudi Arabia.
Questions have also been raised over the criteria used in allocating flights to local airlines, amid reports of increased allocations to some carriers despite pilgrim shortfalls in certain states.
Additionally, stakeholders are seeking confirmation that final flight schedules and landing slots have been harmonized and submitted to GACA to avoid disruptions during the Hajj airlift. There are also calls for transparency following reports of the involvement of non-active personnel in NAHCON’s aviation unit.
Stakeholders say timely clarification from NAHCON is necessary to reassure the public and ensure a smooth and hitch-free Hajj operation in 2026.