Ogun State Denies Safety Issues in Hajj Flight Relocation

The Ogun State government issued a statement clarifying the relocation of Hajj flights from Gateway International Airport, denying media reports that suggested safety concerns led to the decision. The government, represented by Kayode Akinmade, stated that the second batch of pilgrims was redirected due to the inability of Saudi aviation authorities to secure landing slots for Nigerian carriers, specifically Max Air.

The first batch of pilgrims had successfully departed from Gateway International Airport without any incidents, marking a significant achievement in Nigeria's aviation logistics for Hajj operations. The statement emphasized that the airport is fully certified for international aviation operations, having undergone multiple technical safety audits and equipped with modern navigation and weather monitoring systems.

The government reassured that the airport can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777, Boeing 747, and Airbus A380, and that there are no aviation authority approvals withheld due to safety concerns.