Garuda Indonesia to Expand Fleet, Records 98 Percent Hajj On-Time Performance

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has stated its commitment to expanding its aircraft fleet to maximise transport service support for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) President Director Glenny Kairupan, during a press conference on Hajj flight optimisation in Jakarta on Thursday, said the fleet expansion coincides with a very high On-Time Performance (OTP) achievement during this year’s Hajj season. “From our side, Garuda, to support Umrah, we will be adding aircraft strength. Specifically for this year’s Hajj pilgrims, our OTP reached 98 percent,” he said. Through the implementation of this cooperation, Garuda’s aircraft fleet, after transporting Hajj pilgrims, will not only serve return flight routes to the homeland but can also open flight routes to other countries. “Later, after returning from Hajj, we can serve pilgrims not only returning to Jakarta but also to Turkey, to Malaysia, and this will also enhance our promotion, especially for tourism,” he added. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, revealed that the government is committed to strengthening the existence of national airlines with a target of pushing Garuda Indonesia to transport at least 50 percent of the total 3 million Umrah pilgrims. This responds to Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which has granted official permission to Garuda Indonesia to fill empty compartments or empty legs during the return of Hajj charter flights. This tactical step to strengthen the national airline with better, more economical, and efficient services is also taken considering the significant potential movement of Indonesian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which reaches 3.2 million people per year. Based on data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the total annual movement consists of 3 million Umrah pilgrims and 221,000 Hajj pilgrims, with a circulating money turnover value ranging between Rp120 trillion and Rp180 trillion. He added that with such a large figure, the President has requested the formation of a special cross-ministerial task force together with Garuda Indonesia to minimise fund outflows and create inflows. “The President has asked Garuda, the Minister of Tourism, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Hajj to create a task force to minimise cash outflow so that the imbalance in fund outflows is not too large,” said Dahnil, who was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa and Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana.