After technical disruption, hajj flight lands safely in Madinah

The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for the Medan Embarkation has confirmed that the Saudi Airlines flight, which briefly encountered a technical disruption while transporting 380 prospective hajj pilgrims from East Java, has arrived safely in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

“Alhamdulillah, at 04:22 Saudi Arabia Time (WAS), the aircraft landed safely in Madinah. By 05:35 WAS, all pilgrims had settled into their respective hotels,” said the Head of PPIH Medan, Zulkifli Sitorus, at the Medan Hajj Hostel in North Sumatra, on Tuesday.

He explained that the flight carried 380 prospective hajj pilgrims from flight group (kloter) 16 of the Surabaya Embarkation, originating from Malang Regency, East Java.

Previously, the aircraft made a technical landing for refuelling at Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday (26/4).

“The aircraft had to undergo repairs first before continuing the journey to the Holy Land,” he said.

During the approximately 24-hour repair process, the prospective pilgrims were evacuated and accommodated in several hotels around Kualanamu Airport.

Zulkifli assured that all pilgrims received good service while waiting for their departure.

“All pilgrims were well served, including accommodation and meals provided by the airline,” he stated.

Director of Operations and Services at PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi, Dedy Sri Cahyono, said that the number of flights consists of 142 Garuda Indonesia flights and 132 Saudi Airlines flights.

According to him, Kualanamu Airport plays a strategic role as a technical landing point for refuelling hajj flights to the Holy Land.

“Hajj flight operations are running under control with adequate apron and aircraft parking area capacity support,” Dedy said.

He added that Kualanamu Airport also handles the embarkation phase for prospective hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra from 22 April to 11 May 2026, as well as debarkation from 1 to 21 June 2026.