Garuda Indonesia Officially Flies Hajj Pilgrims for 2026, Achieving 100% On-Time Performance
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia has officially begun Phase I (departure) flight operations for the 2026 AD / 1447 AH Hajj pilgrimage, carrying Indonesian pilgrims to the Holy Land.
On this inaugural departure flight, Garuda Indonesia transported at least 2,255 pilgrims from the first batch across six embarkation points, starting with Batch 1 from the Yogyakarta Embarkation.
“Garuda Indonesia flew 360 prospective Hajj pilgrims and recorded a 100% on-time performance,” said Garuda Indonesia’s President Director, Glenny Kairupan, in a written statement on Wednesday (23/4/2016).
He stated that overall, Garuda Indonesia achieved a 100% on-time performance at five main embarkation points: Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Medan, Lombok, and Ujung Pandang.
The departures on the first day of Hajj operations were carried out from six embarkation points: Yogyakarta, a new embarkation (360 pilgrims), Jakarta (391 pilgrims), Solo (360 pilgrims), Lombok (393 pilgrims), Ujung Pandang (391 pilgrims), and Medan (360 pilgrims).
“The Hajj pilgrimage journey is a trust for us, so it is important for us to ensure that all Hajj flight operations run smoothly, safely, and comfortably for all pilgrims until they return to the homeland,” Glenny explained.
This year, Garuda Indonesia will serve at least 102,502 Hajj pilgrims divided into 278 flight groups (batches) from ten embarkation points: Jakarta, Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar, and Lombok.
This year also marks the first time Garuda Indonesia has served departures from the Yogyakarta embarkation via Yogyakarta International Airport.
The departure of pilgrims will be carried out gradually from 21 April to 21 May 2026, with the departure phase to Madinah from 21 April to 6 May 2026 and to Jeddah from 7 to 21 May 2026.
Meanwhile, the repatriation phase for pilgrims is scheduled from 1 to 30 June 2026.
He assured that the company will provide optimal flight services for elderly pilgrims and those with special needs.
Garuda Indonesia has also prepared various supporting facilities, including the provision of wheelchairs at every embarkation.
“Garuda Indonesia has also prepared ambulifts at the Jakarta and Solo embarkations, pilgrim buses with toilet facilities, the use of passenger boarding bridges at several embarkations, special baggage handling services, and buggy car facilities at King Abdulaziz International Airport,” he said.
Cabin crew are also on standby to provide intensive assistance during the flight process, especially for elderly and disabled pilgrims.
To support comfort during long-haul flights, Garuda Indonesia provides meal services consisting of two full meals and one snack, complemented by in-flight entertainment facilities and the availability of portable bidets in the aircraft lavatories.
In addition to fleet and service readiness, Garuda Indonesia has ensured human resource preparedness by deploying more than 1,085 aircraft crew consisting of 731 cabin crew and 354 cockpit crew, as well as 139 Hajj ground staff who will support the smooth mobilisation of pilgrims at all embarkation points.
“We continue to coordinate intensively with all stakeholders in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to ensure the smooth operation, services, safety management, and comfort of the pilgrims are maintained optimally,” Glenny stated.