There is an air of uncertainty among Nigerian travelers and private tour operators participating in the current lesser hajj, Umrah, in Saudi Arabia as the Iran-Us war continue to take a toll on flight operations and other business activities.
It was reported that the lesser hajj typically draws large numbers of Muslims to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan, with over 122 million worshipers visiting the country during the 2025 Ramadan period.
However, the ongoing Middle East tensions, coupled with the closure of critical airspace routes such as Doha and Dubai, are forcing intending pilgrims from Nigeria to reconsider their travel plans.
The disruptions have heightened concerns over safety, flight reliability, and timely arrival for the sacred rituals, leaving many uncertain about whether to proceed with their pilgrimage this year.
Notable airlines that cancelled services included Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air France, British Airways, Syria Air, Air India, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir, Lufthansa and Ethiopia Airlines.
