Garuda Hajj Flight Delayed for Hours; Dahnil Demands Compensation for Pilgrims

The Indonesian Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has reprimanded the airline Garuda Indonesia regarding a Hajj flight that was delayed for several hours in Jeddah on Wednesday (3/6/2026). It is reported that Garuda Indonesia flight GA 7603, operating the Jeddah-Jakarta route and carrying Hajj pilgrims from the Banten embarkation (JKB) 2, experienced a delay starting from 15:55 Saudi Arabian Time on Tuesday (2/6/2026). According to reports from social media, pilgrims were only able to board the aircraft at approximately 22:00 AST, with the flight departing one hour later. The reports also highlighted that the group included several elderly pilgrims who did not receive any compensation in the form of dinner. In response, Dahnil stated that he has contacted the airline, noting that congestion at the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport contributed to the delay of the flight, which was originally scheduled for 15:55 AST. “We have informed the airline regarding the delay; there must be compensation, whether in the form of providing meals or other forms of compensation, to ensure the pilgrims remain comfortable,” Dahnil told the Hajj Media Centre (MCH) team at the Hajj Affairs Office in Jeddah. Dahnil added that the airline has agreed to provide compensation through extra services or other means, and expressed hope that Garuda Indonesia would fulfil this commitment. The Deputy Minister also reprimanded Garuda Indonesia, urging them to be more careful with flight schedules to prevent similar incidents from recurring.