• EgyptAir has cancelled all hajj flights to and from Mali, affecting more than 4,000 pilgrims
• Mali’s pilgrimage body blamed the cancellation on rising kerosene costs and worsening insecurity
• Authorities say talks are ongoing to secure alternative travel arrangements for affected pilgrims

More than 4,000 Malian pilgrims have been thrown into uncertainty after EgyptAir cancelled its hajj flights to and from Mali, citing worsening insecurity and rising fuel costs.

The suspension, announced on Saturday, May 2, affects nearly one-third of Mali’s 13,323 allocated hajj slots for 2026 and comes as the West African nation grapples with escalating violence and growing instability.

According to Mali’s pilgrimage organising body, the decision followed mounting concerns over the country’s deteriorating security climate and increased operational expenses.

The cancellation of the flights was due to “the cost difference related to the increase in kerosene prices, as well as the security situation in Mali”, the body said.

The move comes amid intensified attacks by separatist and jihadist groups targeting Mali’s military-led government.

Recent coordinated assaults on key military positions reportedly killed the country’s defence minister, while armed groups have since tightened pressure around the capital, Bamako, including blockades on some access routes.

Acknowledging the disruption the cancellations have caused, the pilgrimage body said the situation had created anxiety among intending pilgrims.

Acknowledging that the cancellation “naturally causes concern and confusion”, it said discussions were “underway at a high level” to find a swift solution.

“All arrangements are being made to ensure the pilgrims depart under the best possible conditions,” it added.

The cancelled EgyptAir service affects close to a third of the total number of pilgrims allotted to Mali for this year’s pilgrimage.

Under Saudi Arabia’s hajj quota system, each country receives a fixed number of pilgrimage slots, which are then distributed to intending pilgrims through a lottery process.

Pilgrims from around the world have already started arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of this year’s hajj, which is expected to begin in the final week of May.

Hajj is one of Islam’s most sacred obligations, and all Muslims are expected to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able.

During the pilgrimage, millions of Muslims gather in the holy city to perform a series of spiritual rites that retrace the final pilgrimage of the Prophet Mohammed.

Nigerian airlines threaten April 30 shutdown over soaring Jet A1 prices

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the domestic airlines in Nigeria planned to suspend operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, as operators warned that the soaring cost of aviation fuel has pushed the sector to the edge of collapse.

The planned shutdown, if carried out, could trigger major travel disruptions nationwide and leave thousands of passengers stranded.

Industry sources say local carriers are preparing to ground flights after talks with the Federal Government and fuel marketers failed to produce a workable solution to the worsening Jet A1 crisis.