The Ogun State Government has clarified the relocation of a batch of 2026 Hajj pilgrims from the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, to Lagos, insisting that the decision was purely logistical and not due to any operational or safety deficiencies at the airport.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that a Saudi airline allegedly declined to operate from the newly inaugurated airport, leaving some pilgrims stranded and prompting a shift to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government dismissed claims of rejection by any airline, explaining that the issue arose from flight scheduling complications involving Saudi aviation authorities.
According to the statement, the challenge stemmed from the inability of Saudi authorities to secure a landing slot for Max Air, the airline designated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for operations from the Gateway International Airport.
The government said the late notification made it necessary to temporarily reroute the affected pilgrims through Lagos to ensure the smooth continuation of the Hajj exercise.
It stressed that the Gateway International Airport remains fully certified and operational for international flights, including Hajj operations, and that the first batch of pilgrims had already departed successfully from the facility without incident.
The airport, commissioned on April 4, 2026, has received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and complies with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Officials highlighted that the airport is equipped with modern aviation systems, including a Category II Instrument Landing System, advanced navigation tools, and weather monitoring infrastructure capable of supporting international operations.
The government also noted that the runway can accommodate wide body aircraft such as Boeing 777, Boeing 747, and Airbus A380, reinforcing its readiness for global aviation activities.
Authorities maintained that the relocation was a temporary adjustment and not a reflection of any inadequacy at the airport, describing the situation as part of routine coordination challenges in international flight operations.
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