East Java Hajj Flight Group 30 Makes Emergency Landing in Oman
A Saudi Airlines aircraft carrying 380 Hajj pilgrims from flight group 30, Debarkasi Surabaya, was forced to make an emergency landing in Muscat, Oman, due to a technical issue. As a result, hundreds of pilgrims from Lamongan and Tuban regencies have had their return home delayed.
Head of the Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for Debarkasi Surabaya, As’adul Anam, stated that the incident began after the plane took off from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After making a technical landing in Muscat and continuing the flight for two hours, the pilot decided to turn back to Oman after detecting a problem with the aircraft.
“So after flying from Jeddah, it made a technical landing in Muscat, then took off again. After two hours, it turned back. It turned out the problem was with the aircraft itself,” Anam said in Surabaya on Tuesday (9/6).
Although the return schedule to Indonesia has been delayed, Anam confirmed that the airline is taking full responsibility for the pilgrims’ comfort during the repair period. All accommodation needs have been upgraded to premium facilities.
“Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims there have had their needs met regarding hotels and so forth, and they have been placed in five-star accommodation. Meals are also provided, even tending towards European-style cuisine. But for lunch and dinner, they can still choose according to their preferences,” he said.
Anam stressed that the technical incident affecting flight group 30 has not disrupted the airline’s repatriation schedule for subsequent flight groups. To date, 34 flight groups have successfully landed safely in Surabaya.
The aircraft, carrying a total of 380 pilgrims including those who transferred groups (tanazul), has now been declared airworthy and is en route to Indonesia.
PPIH Debarkasi Surabaya estimates that the flight group 30 aircraft will land at Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo on Tuesday (9/6) evening at around 23:05 Western Indonesian Time.
“So, Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims are now flying back to the homeland after the aircraft experienced such a problem,” he said.