The Ogun State Government has denied reports claiming that Saudi airline Flynas rejected the Gateway International Airport in Iperu as a departure point for Ogun pilgrims going for the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described the report published by The Punch, titled “Pilgrims stranded as Saudi airline shuns Ogun airport,” as incorrect and misleading.
The government explained that the change affecting the second batch of pilgrims was not caused by any safety, technical, or infrastructure problem at the airport.
According to the statement, the adjustment became necessary after Saudi aviation authorities were unable to secure a landing slot for the airline assigned for the operation, Max Air, which was engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for flights from the airport. This led to a change in travel plans.
It added that the late notice of the scheduling issue forced authorities to move the affected pilgrims to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as a practical alternative.
The government also made it clear that Flynas did not reject the Ogun airport due to safety or operational concerns, as suggested in the report.
It noted that the first group of pilgrims had already flown out successfully from the Gateway International Airport, describing it as a major achievement in the state’s aviation and Hajj operations.
The airport, which was officially opened on April 4, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was described as a fully approved international facility cleared for Hajj operations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in line with global aviation standards set by ICAO.
The statement further explained that the airport has undergone several safety and technical inspections since 2025 and is equipped with modern facilities, including a CAT II Instrument Landing System, advanced navigation tools, and weather monitoring systems.
It also stated that the runway is designed to handle large aircraft such as Boeing 777, Boeing 747, and Airbus A380, showing its capacity for international flights.
The government added that no aviation regulator would approve such an airport if there were any safety issues, pointing out that even presidential aircraft have used the facility.
While urging the media to report accurately, the government called on journalists to verify information before publishing, especially on matters involving public infrastructure and international operations.