Garuda Records 100% On-Time Performance for First Hajj Flight Cluster

Overall, Garuda Indonesia recorded 100% on-time performance (OTP) on the first Hajj flight cluster of 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE at several major embarkation points, signalling the smooth initial phase of pilgrims’ departures to the Holy Land. Garuda Indonesia’s President Director, Glenny Kairupan, stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that this achievement was attained at five major embarkation points: Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Medan, Lombok, and Ujung Pandang. “Overall, Garuda Indonesia recorded 100% OTP at the five major embarkation points,” he said. In the initial departure phase, Garuda Indonesia transported at least 2,255 pilgrims from the first cluster across six embarkation points. The inaugural flight began from Yogyakarta Embarkation, carrying 360 pilgrims on Tuesday (21/4). The flight used an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with flight number GA 6501, which departed from Yogyakarta International Airport at 23:40 WIB and is scheduled to arrive at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at 06:15 local time. Glenny conveyed that the smooth departure of the first cluster is an important part of Hajj worship arrangements, as well as a trust for the airline to ensure pilgrims’ journeys are safe and comfortable. “We are committed to ensuring all Hajj flight operations run smoothly, safely, and comfortably until the pilgrims return to the homeland,” he stated. For the 2026 Hajj season, Garuda Indonesia will serve around 102,502 pilgrims grouped into 278 flight clusters from 10 embarkation points: Jakarta, Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar, and Lombok. Pilgrim departures are scheduled to take place gradually from 21 April to 21 May 2026, with the Madinah departure phase from 21 April to 6 May and Jeddah from 7 to 21 May. Meanwhile, the pilgrim return phase is planned for 1 to 30 June 2026. In this year’s operations, Garuda Indonesia also projects serving around 18% elderly pilgrims aged over 65 years as well as those with special needs. To support these services, the airline has prepared various facilities, including wheelchairs at every embarkation point, ambulifts at Jakarta and Solo embarkations, pilgrim buses with toilet facilities, use of passenger boarding bridges at several airports, special baggage handling services, and buggy car facilities at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Garuda Indonesia also provides catering services consisting of two main meals and one snack, complemented by in-flight entertainment facilities and the availability of portable bidets in aircraft lavatories. To support operational smoothness, the airline has prepared more than 1,085 flight crew members, comprising 731 cabin crew and 354 cockpit crew, as well as 139 Hajj ground staff. Glenny emphasised that Hajj flight operations are a national trust that requires cross-sector collaboration. Garuda Indonesia, he continued, continues to coordinate with various stakeholders domestically and internationally to ensure operational smoothness, safety, and comfort for pilgrims.