Prabowo's Solution to Empty Hajj Flights: Garuda and Saudi Airlines to Form "Joint Venture"

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has ordered Garuda Indonesia to approach Saudi Airlines to undertake a joint venture.

Prabowo even searched for the whereabouts of Garuda’s President Director during a briefing at the Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

“Is Garuda’s President Director here?” Prabowo asked.

“Ready!” exclaimed Garuda’s President Director.

Prabowo stated that Garuda’s aircraft often return empty after transporting Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

According to him, Saudi Airlines experiences a similar issue, where they transport Hajj pilgrims back to Indonesia and then fly empty on the return to Arabia.

“I said, why not collaborate? Create a subsidiary company, 50 percent Saudi Arabia, 50 percent Indonesia. Our flights to Saudi Arabia will be full, to Indonesia full. Prices can drop again. Times can be shorter again. This needs to be worked on,” Prabowo continued.

Because, he said, the order had already been given to Garuda’s President Director about two months ago.

“Has it been done yet? I ordered it about two months ago. This must be done quickly. This government works quickly. Later, Garuda’s President Director will report to me. His head will go bald,” Prabowo added.