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Hajj & Umrah

Carrying Nigeria’s pilgrims

Since 2022 Umza Air has airlifted pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia — and in 2025, on our own Air Operator Certificate, we moved over 13,000 of them and brought every one home on schedule.

A pilgrimage airlift is one of the most demanding operations in commercial aviation: thousands of passengers, many flying for the first time, moving from multiple states within a fixed window that cannot slip. It is work we have built a reputation on.

2022
first Hajj season flown
13,000+
pilgrims airlifted in 2025
2
wide-body types wet-leased
100%
returned home on schedule

How it began

Since 2022, Umza Air has collaborated with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and accredited tour operators to airlift pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia. Through these partnerships, the airline played a key role in supporting Hajj operations, delivering safe, reliable and efficient service to thousands of pilgrims each year.

Over time we earned an excellent reputation for the coordination and handling of passengers and their luggage. Operational efficiency, attention to detail and genuine customer care are what set an operator apart during the highly demanding pilgrimage season — and they are what we are judged on.

In 2025, after securing our own Air Operator Certificate, Umza Aviation independently airlifted over 13,000 pilgrims from various states in Nigeria and successfully returned them home on schedule. The operation was executed using two wet-leased aircraft — a Boeing 747-400 and a Boeing 777-200 — marking a significant milestone in the airline’s growth and operational capability.

The aircraft we fly pilgrims on

Wide-body capacity is wet-leased for the season: the lessor provides the aircraft and crew, flying on Umza’s behalf under their Air Operator Certificate.

Boeing 747-400

Wet-leased

Long-haul, wide-body, four-engine jet

The 747-400 is the high-capacity, four-engine wide-body that made long-haul mass travel routine. Its size and range are what allow a whole state’s pilgrims to move in a single rotation, which is why Umza wet-leases it for the Hajj season.

Operator
MYWAY Airlines (wet lease)
Registrations
MSN 28025
Seating
486 passengers
Cabin
Business 2-2, Economy 3-4-3
Used for
Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage airlifts and large group charters.
Technical specification
ManufacturerBoeing Commercial Airplanes
Engines4 × Rolls-Royce or General Electric turbofans
Maximum speedMach 0.88 (567 knots / 1,050 km/h)
Range14,800 km (9,200 miles)
Maximum take-off weight540,000 kg
Wingspan68.5 m (225 ft)
Length85.3 m (280 ft)
Height20.5 m (67 ft)

Boeing 777-200

Wet-leased

Long-haul, wide-body, twin-engine jet

The original member of the 777 family, and still one of the most efficient twin-engine wide-bodies flying. Wide aisles and generous overhead bins make boarding and disembarking a large pilgrimage group considerably calmer.

Operator
Terra Avia (wet lease)
Registrations
4L-MWB
Seating
312 passengers
Cabin
Business 2-2, Economy 3-4-3
Used for
Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage airlifts and long-haul charters.
Technical specification
ManufacturerBoeing Commercial Airplanes
Engines2 × Rolls-Royce Trent 800
Maximum speedMach 0.84 (560 knots / 905 km/h)
Range9,700 km (5,240 nautical miles)
Maximum take-off weight247,200 kg (545,000 lbs)
Wingspan60.9 m (199 ft 11 in)
Length63.7 m (209 ft 1 in)
Height18.5 m (60 ft 9 in)

What we bring to a pilgrimage airlift

Group coordination

Manifests, state-by-state departures and return scheduling handled with NAHCON and accredited operators, not improvised at the airport.

Careful luggage handling

The part pilgrims and their families notice most. Our handling record through the season is what earned our reputation.

Care for first-time flyers

Many pilgrims are flying for the first time. Our crews are briefed to guide, reassure and take the time it needs.

Operators and pilgrimage groups

Tour operators, state pilgrims’ welfare boards and religious groups can reach our charter desk at corporate@umzaair.com or call +234 704 700 0673 to discuss capacity for the coming season.

Plan a pilgrimage airlift with us

Tell us the states, the numbers and the window, and we will build the rotation around it.

Email corporate@umzaair.comSee our charter services