Garuda Indonesia Donates Aircraft for Hajj Training Facility in Aceh

Jakarta — Garuda Indonesia has taken a strategic step to improve the quality of Hajj administration by donating an aircraft to serve as a pilgrimage training facility at the Class I Hajj Dormitory in Aceh.

The Boeing 737, formerly operated by budget carrier Citilink, has been reassembled and fitted to resemble an active cabin. Prospective pilgrims can now directly practise the boarding process, cabin baggage stowage, seatbelt use, and familiarise themselves with procedures during the long-haul flight to the Holy Land.

Garuda Indonesia President Director Glenny H. Kairupan affirmed his company’s commitment as a strategic state partner within the national Hajj ecosystem. This includes concrete synergy between the central government, the airline, and regional administrations to prepare pilgrims from the embarkation stage onwards.

He said the facility makes pilgrimage training in Aceh more comprehensive. “Prospective pilgrims will not only understand the theory but will also be mentally and technically prepared for the actual Hajj flight,” Glenny said in a statement on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the aircraft donation from Garuda Indonesia strengthens flight simulation-based pilgrimage training to enhance the technical readiness of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

“We are providing this aircraft so that prospective pilgrims can experience the atmosphere of a Hajj flight. When departure day arrives, they will be calmer and more prepared,” Dahnil said.

According to Dahnil, the donated Boeing 737 formerly operated by Citilink is not merely a symbol or display piece but has been designed as a hands-on training facility for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

The Deputy Minister added that the initiative addresses a longstanding issue — pilgrim anxiety, particularly among the elderly, when facing long-haul air travel for the first time. He stressed that pilgrimage training should no longer stop at the theoretical pillars and obligations of the Hajj but must also address the technical aspects of travel that frequently cause concern.

The placement of the aircraft in Aceh also holds historical significance. The province gave birth to Garuda Indonesia through the legendary Seulawah RI-001 aircraft, which was supported by the people of Aceh. “This donation serves as a tribute to that contribution, whilst returning a piece of history to its homeland,” the Deputy Minister added.