Overview

Access to reliable flights is the backbone of any Umrah trip from Nigeria. While pilgrimage travel peaks around Ramadan and other religious seasons, carriers have been expanding services between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia — including a mix of direct and connecting options from major Nigerian hubs such as Lagos (LOS), Abuja (ABV), and Kano (KAN). Planning ahead, comparing carriers, and understanding route patterns will help you secure the best schedule and fares for a smooth pilgrimage.

Which Airports in Nigeria Serve Umrah Pilgrims?

Major departure points are typically:

• Lagos — Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS): The busiest hub with the most international connectivity and multiple weekly services to Saudi airports.
• Abuja — Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV): Popular for central and northern Nigeria pilgrims; many charters and scheduled services operate seasonally.
• Kano — Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN): Important for northern pilgrims and sometimes served on charter or scheduled routes during peak seasons.

Direct Flights vs Connecting Routes

Direct flights are faster and remove the stress of additional transfers, but they may be costlier or seasonal. Several carriers operate direct services between Nigeria and Jeddah — notably national and private carriers that ramp up services for Hajj and Umrah periods. For destinations like Madinah, up-to-date route maps show most travelers use one-stop connections via major Middle Eastern hubs (e.g., Cairo, Doha, Addis Ababa, or Istanbul). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Major Airlines Serving Nigeria–Saudi Routes

Here are the common carriers and what to expect from each:

• Air Peace — The Nigerian carrier has been operating services into Jeddah (and has been active in Hajj operations), making it a convenient option for Lagos/Abuja departures when schedules align. Air Peace also ran Hajj flights during 2025 and promotes seasonal pilgrim operations. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) — Saudia maintains scheduled flights between Saudi Arabia and Nigerian cities (including Jeddah), and is often a strong choice for Umrah due to baggage allowances and in-country connections. Check Saudia’s Nigeria route pages for current schedules and deals. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Flynas — Saudi low-cost carrier Flynas has operated services that include Nigerian sectors during peak seasons and shows up in regional airlift schedules. Flynas can offer competitive fares for pilgrims when available. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Other international carriers (e.g., Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir) — these generally offer one-stop connections to Madinah and Jeddah via their hub airports and are useful if direct seats are sold out or if you need more flexible routing options. Flight-search aggregators list these as common connecting options. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Direct Jeddah Options — Why They Matter

Direct flights to Jeddah simplify logistics on arrival (less chance of missed transfers, faster immigration, and easier baggage handling). In 2025, Nigeria–Jeddah direct services have been available through both Nigerian carriers and Saudia, particularly during Hajj/Umrah seasons. When booking, confirm whether the flight is scheduled year-round or is a seasonal/charter service — many airlines publish special pilgrim flights during peak months. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Typical Routing to Madinah

Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) is less commonly served by non-stop flights from Nigeria. Most passengers fly to Jeddah and transfer overland, or take one-stop connections through hub carriers. Flight route tools and schedules currently show limited or no regular non-stop LOS–MED services, making connecting itineraries the standard approach for Madinah-bound pilgrims. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Seasonal & Charter Flights (NAHCON and Airline Schedules)

During Hajj and peak Umrah windows, NAHCON coordinates special airlift schedules and airlines often add chartered flights to supplement scheduled services. In 2025 NAHCON updates included specific inbound/outbound flight lists and coordinated efforts with carriers — a useful resource to confirm timelines if you’re booking a package or seasonal flight. If you plan to travel during peak months, check NAHCON notices and airline charters for additional seat availability. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

How to Find and Compare the Best Umrah Airfares from Nigeria

Price comparison and timing will greatly affect your Umrah budget. Follow these practical steps:

1. Use flight-aggregator sites (Skyscanner, Wego, Cleartrip) to scan multiple carriers and flexible dates. These tools surface both direct and one-stop options and show typical price ranges. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
2. Check carrier sites directly — sometimes airlines run promotions or special pilgrim fares not shown on aggregators (Saudia and Air Peace pages often list seasonal offers).
3. Book early for peak seasons (Ramadan, school holidays) — seats and competitive fares fill quickly during these months.
4. Consider multi-stop routing if direct flights are sold out; connecting via Doha, Cairo, Addis Ababa, or Istanbul can lower costs or improve timing.
5. Factor luggage and change fees when comparing low-cost vs full-service carriers — savings on base fare can disappear once baggage and seat fees are included.

Practical Booking Tips for Pilgrims

• Coordinate flights with your visa validity — confirm visa entry windows and travel only within the permitted dates.
• Reserve flexible or refundable tickets if your pilgrimage dates are dependent on visa timelines or NAHCON schedules.
• Prefer airlines with good support desks in Nigeria — local customer service can simplify rebooking if schedules change.
• Check transit visa rules if your routing includes a long layover in a third country.
• Confirm airport transfer options — many packages include ground transfers from Jeddah to Makkah; ensure timings account for possible flight delays.

Special Note on Hajj vs Umrah Airlift Operations

Hajj airlift programs are tightly coordinated and often differ from regular Umrah seat offerings. National commissions (like NAHCON) and airlines publish Hajj schedules, but Umrah travel can be booked year-round via scheduled services or special pilgrim charters. If you're traveling close to a Hajj window, be mindful that airfares and seat availability may be affected by large-scale government-coordinated movements. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Final Checklist Before You Book

• Confirm passport validity (minimum 6 months) and visa requirements.
• Verify flight times, layover durations, and baggage allowances.
• Check airline and NAHCON advisories for any last-minute changes.
• Ensure hotel bookings for visa issuance are confirmed if your visa application requires them.
• Buy travel insurance that covers delays, medical emergencies, and repatriation.