Gateway International Airport Launches First Hajj Flight

Gateway International Airport in Ogun State officially launched its first international flight on Sunday night, marking a historic moment as it began the airlift of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The flight, operated by Max Air, departed Iperu at 11:00 PM with 345 pilgrims, including 151 males and 194 females, alongside officials from the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board.

The aircraft landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport around 4:15 AM Nigerian time. Governor Dapo Abiodun described the inaugural flight as a defining moment for the state's development trajectory, emphasizing the airport's readiness to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft and its compliance with global aviation standards.

The project, inaugurated on April 4, 2026, is expected to ease logistics for pilgrims across the southwest, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to Lagos. NAHCON Chairman Ismail Yusuf highlighted the significance of this new departure point for enhancing Nigeria's image during the Hajj.