Garuda Indonesia prepares Minangkabau speciality menu for prospective Hajj pilgrims from West Sumatra

Garuda Indonesia will prepare a Nusantara menu featuring rendang for prospective Hajj pilgrims (CJH) from the Padang Hajj Embarkation point.

Padang (ANTARA) - The national airline Garuda Indonesia is preparing Minangkabau speciality dishes such as rendang to serve the consumption needs of prospective Hajj pilgrims (CJH) from the Padang Embarkation in West Sumatra (Sumbar) during the 1447 Hijriah/2026 Hajj season.

“Garuda Indonesia will prepare a Nusantara menu featuring rendang for CJH from the Padang Hajj Embarkation,” said General Manager of Garuda Indonesia’s Padang Branch, Boydike Kussudiarso, in Padang on Friday.

In addition to rendang, the state-owned enterprise (BUMN) airline is also preparing several other Nusantara menus, such as Padang grilled chicken, yellow rice, balado fried fish, and others.

Furthermore, for elderly CJH, the airline is providing porridge to make it easier to consume.

“Every menu we serve meets nutritional standards and appropriate portions, including hygiene,” Boydike stated.

Meanwhile, the Head of the West Sumatra Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Office (Kemenhaj), M. Rifki, said that overall, the local embarkation will dispatch 14 Hajj flight groups (kloter) comprising CJH from West Sumatra and Bengkulu.

“Before the prospective Hajj pilgrims depart, we first accommodate them at the Padang Hajj Dormitory and then proceed to the Holy Land,” he said.

Regarding the Nusantara menu prepared by Garuda Indonesia, the West Sumatra Kemenhaj welcomes it because the cuisine suits the tastes of CJH from the Minang region.