Garuda Coordinates with Saudi Authorities to Ensure Smooth Hajj Return Flights
Garuda Indonesia is intensifying coordination with Saudi Arabian authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth flight operations during the return phase of the Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
“This effort is being undertaken to support the smooth return process of pilgrims while anticipating the impact of operational adjustments currently underway at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah,” said Dicky Irchamsyah, Head of the Corporate Communications Division at Garuda Indonesia, in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
Through continuous intensive coordination with local authorities, Garuda Indonesia confirmed that all pilgrims on the second group from the Banten embarkation (JKB02) arrived safely at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday (3/6) at 13:45 WIB. The flight had previously departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, on Tuesday (2/6) at 22:55 local time.
In addition to JKB02, these operational conditions have also affected the third group from the Ujung Pandang embarkation, the second group from the Medan embarkation, the second group from the Yogyakarta embarkation, as well as two ONH Plus flights under flight numbers GA981 and GA993. “At present, all these flights have been dispatched to their respective destinations,” he added.
Garuda Indonesia, alongside local airport authorities, continues to coordinate and implement operational mitigation steps to ensure the repatriation process of Hajj pilgrims can proceed safely, smoothly, and in accordance with established service standards.
Garuda Indonesia expressed its apologies for any inconvenience experienced by the pilgrims and extended its gratitude for the patience, understanding, and cooperation of all pilgrims regarding the schedule adjustments. Moving forward, Dicky noted that Garuda Indonesia will continue to optimise coordination with all relevant stakeholders to maintain flight operational smoothness and ensure the return process for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims proceeds well until the end of this year’s Hajj operational phase.