Ogun State officials denied reports that Saudi airline Flynas rejected the Gateway International Airport for 2026 Hajj pilgrimage flights [1], [2].
The dispute centers on the operational viability of the newly built Iperu facility. If a major international carrier were to shun the airport, it would challenge the legitimacy of the state's multi-billion naira investment [2].
Initial reports stated that hundreds of pilgrims were stranded after Flynas declined to operate from the airport [1]. These reports suggested the airline cited technical concerns regarding the facility's infrastructure as the reason for the decision [1], [4].
The Ogun State government later countered these claims, stating the reports were false [3], [5]. The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said the airline did not reject the airport and that no safety or technical issues existed [5].
According to state officials, the situation was the result of a flight-rearrangement decision rather than a refusal to use the site [3], [4]. The government said that the Gateway International Airport remains operational for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage [2].
This contradiction highlights a gap between early reports of stranded travelers and official government narratives regarding the airport's readiness. While some sources described a crisis for pilgrims, the state maintains that logistical shifts were the only cause for the disruption [3], [5].
“Hundreds of pilgrims were reported to be stranded.”
The conflicting accounts regarding Flynas' operations at the Gateway International Airport reflect the high stakes surrounding the new facility's debut. For the Ogun State government, confirming the airport's technical compliance is essential to justify the massive capital expenditure. Conversely, reports of stranded pilgrims suggest potential teething problems in coordinating international carrier schedules with new regional infrastructure.
