Kloter 11 Closes First Wave of Returns, Padang Debarkation Leaves Three Kloter in Saudi Arabia

The repatriation process for Hajj pilgrims from the Padang debarkation point has officially entered its final stage. The arrival of Kloter (Flight Group) 11 at Minangkabau International Airport (BIM) on Monday (15/6) marked the end of the first wave of returns for 2026. The Garuda Indonesia flight, number GA 3811, carrying the Kloter 11 group landed smoothly at BIM at 14.10 WIB. With this arrival, a total of 4,294 Hajj pilgrims from the Padang debarkation point have now returned to the country. The pilgrims were welcomed directly by the Head of the West Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, M. Rifki, accompanied by the Head of Administration, Amrizal, and officials from the pilgrims’ home regions. “Today marks the closing of the first wave of returns for the Padang debarkation point. Alhamdulillah, the repatriation process for 11 kloter has proceeded smoothly and the pilgrims have returned in stages safely,” said M. Rifki in Padang on Monday. Rifki explained that out of a total of 14 flight groups served by the Padang debarkation point this year, 11 kloter were repatriated during the first phase via the Jeddah-Padang route. Three kloter remain in Saudi Arabia, currently in Medina to complete their worship and pilgrimage rituals. They will be repatriated in the second wave via the Medina-Padang route in the coming days. He expressed hope that the entire remaining repatriation process would proceed smoothly so that all pilgrims could be reunited with their families. Rifki also advised the pilgrims to maintain the values of patience and discipline cultivated in the Holy Land and to become role models in their communities. Kloter 11 brought 389 pilgrims and officers from several areas in West Sumatra. The group was accompanied by kloter officers led by Ermizaldi Zakir Somad as Kloter Head, along with a medical team and regional Hajj officers. According to data from the Integrated Hajj Computerised System (Siskohat), 1,080 pilgrims are still awaiting their return schedule in the second wave. All officers at the Padang Debarkation remain on alert to ensure that the 2026 Hajj operations conclude safely and comfortably for all pilgrims.