The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA) has officially approved the Gateway International Airport (Gateway International Airport), Ogun State, for the 2026 Hajj operations, following comprehensive regulatory inspections.
According to a memo dated April 30, 2026, the airport is among five airports cleared for unrestricted Hajj flight operations after meeting safety, security, and facilitation standards. The approved airports include Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport), Abuja; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Murtala Muhammed International Airport), Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport), Kano; and Obafemi Jeremiah International Airport (Obafemi Jeremiah International Airport), Port Harcourt.
In addition, the regulator stated that the assessments complied with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, focusing on operational readiness and safety compliance. Furthermore, the NCAA confirmed that 12 airports received conditional clearance, including General Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri pending compliance upgrades. The approval is expected to ease passenger movement for pilgrims and strengthen investor confidence in Ogun State aviation infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the NCAA also sanctioned XEJET Airways (XEJET Airways) with a N2 million fine for alleged consumer protection violations affecting passenger rights. The regulator said the enforcement action aims to improve service quality and ensure airlines comply with passenger protection regulations nationwide.
Aviation stakeholders say the development marks a major milestone for Nigeria’s Hajj logistics framework while reinforcing regulatory credibility and airport competitiveness across the country, especially as authorities continue to modernise infrastructure, expand capacity, and align operations with international standards for safer and more efficient air travel experiences during peak religious and commercial seasons supporting long-term aviation growth and regional connectivity objectives in Nigeria across West Africa.
