Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal Government is reviewing Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to improve airlift arrangements and secure better operating opportunities for Nigerian airlines serving the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The review is expected to address issues surrounding the allocation of flight slots to Nigerian designated carriers, the proportion of pilgrims transported by airlines from both countries and other operational conditions affecting air travel between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The development comes amid continuing efforts by Nigerian aviation authorities to strengthen the country’s position in Hajj airlift operations and improve opportunities for domestic airlines.
In February 2026, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) held a meeting with airlines and Hajj operators in Abuja to assess preparations for the pilgrimage and discuss operational challenges. The authority said the meeting covered aircraft deployment, flight patterns, airport operations, pilgrim numbers and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) slot allocations in Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia Pursue BASA Review
The review of the aviation agreement gained further momentum following high-level discussions between Nigerian and Saudi officials.
In April 2026, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo led a Nigerian delegation to Riyadh for meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, and the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej.
According to a statement reported by The PUNCH, the discussions focused on updating the existing BASA framework to reflect current realities in international aviation while addressing operational issues affecting airlines from both countries.
The African Press Agency also reported that the Nigerian delegation pushed for improved slot allocation for Nigerian designated carriers and better operational conditions for the airlines.
The discussions specifically included the allocation of slots for Nigerian carriers participating in the 2026 Hajj operations and the percentage of pilgrims to be transported by airlines from the two countries.
The negotiations therefore have implications beyond routine commercial aviation. They are closely connected to the annual movement of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and the participation of Nigerian airlines in that process.
Hajj Airlift at the Centre of the Review
Hajj airlift is one of the most important areas in the Nigeria-Saudi aviation relationship.
Each year, Nigerian pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for the Islamic pilgrimage, requiring extensive coordination among Nigerian government agencies, Saudi authorities, airlines, airports and pilgrimage administrators.
The NCAA said its February 2026 meeting with Hajj airlines was intended to address operational challenges and assess preparations ahead of the pilgrimage.
Airlines including Air Peace, Flynas, Max Air and UMZA Aviation participated in the meeting and outlined their operational readiness while raising issues arising from previous Hajj operations.
The discussions included aircraft types, deployment numbers, Saudi GACA slot allocations, fuelling and ground-handling services in both countries.
The NCAA said its Director of Air Transport Regulation, Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe, also spoke about the need to review the BASA between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
This indicates that the agreement review is linked to practical concerns facing airlines and pilgrims rather than being limited to broader diplomatic relations.
Government Seeks Better Opportunities for Nigerian Carriers
Improving access to international routes and aviation opportunities for Nigerian airlines is one of the responsibilities of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The ministry’s Air Transport Management Department is responsible for negotiating and reviewing new and existing Air Services Agreements, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It also monitors the implementation of bilateral and multilateral air services agreements involving Nigeria.
For Nigerian airlines, the outcome of negotiations with Saudi Arabia could affect the commercial and operational environment in which they participate in Hajj airlift and other air services between the two countries.
The issue is particularly relevant because Hajj operations involve significant passenger movements within a limited period and require airlines to secure appropriate aircraft, schedules, airport arrangements and regulatory approvals.
Existing Hajj Arrangements
Nigeria’s Hajj airlift system already operates through arrangements involving government authorities, airlines and Saudi aviation regulators.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has previously stated that the allocation of pilgrims to airlines under government quota operates in line with the existing BASA between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
In its preparations for the 2024 Hajj, NAHCON approved airlines including Max Air, Air Peace and Flynas for the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims. The commission subsequently signed airlift agreements with the approved carriers.
Nigeria has also continued to negotiate with Saudi authorities over conditions affecting its pilgrims.
In January 2024, during the signing of Nigeria’s Hajj Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia, Nigerian officials raised concerns about conditions affecting Nigerian pilgrims and sought more favourable terms for Nigerian carriers involved in Hajj airlift operations.
These engagements demonstrate the broader relationship between aviation negotiations and Nigeria’s annual Hajj arrangements.
2026 Hajj Shows Scale of Airlift Operation
The scale of the Hajj operation helps explain why airline access and slot allocation remain important issues for Nigeria.
The National Assembly Legislative Think Tank reported that Nigeria’s outbound 2026 Hajj airlift involved 98 flights operated over 18 days, transporting about 39,000 government-sponsored pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The same report said Nigeria received a total Hajj quota of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2026 exercise, including 9,750 places for licensed tour operators, alongside officials and operational support personnel.
The figures illustrate the logistical demands placed on airlines during the pilgrimage period.
With thousands of passengers requiring transportation within a concentrated period, the availability of aircraft, airport slots, flight schedules and regulatory approvals can have a direct effect on the efficiency of the airlift operation.
Nigeria Continues to Prepare for Future Hajj Operations
The Federal Government’s discussions with Saudi authorities are also taking place against the backdrop of preparations for subsequent Hajj exercises.
NAHCON announced in August 2026 that the government had approved five air carriers for the 2027 Hajj exercise: Air Peace, Flynas, Max Air, Saudi Air and UMZA Aviation Services.
The commission said passenger allocations and airlift schedules would subsequently be worked out with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and the approved operators, subject to the relevant Nigerian and Saudi regulatory requirements.
The development provides an indication of the continuing importance of both Nigerian and Saudi carriers in the Hajj airlift framework.
It also means that decisions arising from the BASA review could have relevance for future pilgrimage operations, although the precise outcome of the negotiations and any resulting changes to airline allocations remain subject to government and regulatory decisions.
Wider Implications for Nigeria’s Aviation Sector
A review of the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia BASA could have implications beyond Hajj.
Bilateral air services agreements establish the framework under which airlines designated by participating countries can operate international air services.
For Nigeria, negotiations over such agreements form part of efforts to develop direct international air links and create an operating environment that supports Nigerian carriers.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has identified the negotiation and review of Air Services Agreements as part of its air transport management responsibilities.
Any changes agreed with Saudi Arabia could therefore influence the regulatory and commercial conditions under which designated airlines operate between the two countries.
However, the precise benefits for individual Nigerian airlines will depend on the final terms agreed by both governments and the subsequent implementation by aviation regulators.
What Happens Next
The Federal Government and Saudi authorities are expected to continue discussions on the BASA review and related aviation arrangements.
For Hajj operations, Nigerian authorities will also need to coordinate with Saudi regulators, airlines and pilgrimage authorities over passenger allocations, flight schedules, airport slots and other operational requirements.
The NCAA’s engagement with Hajj operators and the subsequent high-level talks in Riyadh indicate that the government is seeking to address these issues through both regulatory and diplomatic channels.
The final terms of any revised aviation agreement, however, will determine the extent to which Nigerian carriers receive additional opportunities and how future Hajj airlift arrangements are structured.
For Nigerian pilgrims, airlines and the wider aviation industry, the key issue will be whether the review produces clearer and more favourable operating arrangements while maintaining the safety and regulatory standards required for international air transport.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) — February 2026 meeting with airlines and Hajj operators on 2026 Hajj airlift preparations and BASA review.
- Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development — Air Transport Management Department information on Bilateral Air Services Agreements.
- National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) — Information on Hajj airline arrangements and Nigeria-Saudi aviation cooperation.
- The PUNCH — April 2026 report on Nigeria-Saudi Arabia talks to review the BASA.
- African Press Agency (APA) — Report on the BASA discussions and Nigerian carriers’ Hajj slot allocation.
- National Assembly Legislative Think Tank — Report on the completion of Nigeria’s 2026 outbound Hajj airlift.
