2025 Hajj: Shettima Kicks Off Pilgrimage at Owerri Airport, 315 Airlifted by Air Peace

At the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, Nigerian Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima has officially opened the historic 2025 Hajj pilgrimage exercise. This is the airport’s first international flight since it opened in 1983.

Three hundred and fifteen pilgrims were transported to Medina, Saudi Arabia by Nigeria’s top airline, Air Peace.

At Friday night’s flag-off event, Shettima praised Imo State Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma for encouraging religious inclusivity and tolerance in the state.

In addition, the vice president urged the pilgrims to respect Nigerian principles and act as genuine representatives of the country while they were in the Holy Land.

Uzodimma reaffirmed in his speech the administration’s dedication to improving the state’s aviation facilities.

He emphasized that the airport would further establish Owerri as a center for international and religious travel by facilitating the airlift of Christian pilgrims during upcoming activities.

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315 pilgrims were evacuated from the airport to Medina, Saudi Arabia, according to a statement by Air Peace.

To get to the Asian nation for the 2025 Hajj, the pilgrims were airlifted in a nonstop flight.

The airline used its wide-body Boeing 777-300 aircraft for the journey, which was the first time a plane of that size had ever touched down on the runway at Owerri, according to Air Peace’s management.

The airport’s increased capacity and preparedness to manage international operations of international standards was implied by the statement.

Nigeria’s rising aviation capabilities in expanding international operations across all geopolitical zones are further highlighted by this historic development, which also marks a key milestone for the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, the statement stated.

Recent rumors that Air Peace would be suspended from Hajj operations are also strongly refuted by this successful flight.

The airline has launched its 2025 hajj operations from Owerri, a new departure city, in addition to maintaining its standing as a trustworthy partner in national service.

His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, as well as other national dignitaries and religious leaders were also present at the historic event, which further supported the event’s unity and national significance.