Technical Disruption Lasting Up to 24 Hours at Kualanamu, Hajj Pilgrims' Plane Arrives Safely in Madinah
A Saudi Airlines aircraft carrying a group of Hajj pilgrims from flight cluster 16 of the Surabaya Embarkation, originating from Malang Regency in East Java, encountered a technical disruption and made an emergency landing at Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.
The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) of the Medan Embarkation confirmed the incident and assured that the Saudi Airlines flight, transporting 380 Hajj pilgrims from East Java, arrived safely in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday morning, 28 April 2026.
“Alhamdulillah, at 04.22 Saudi Arabia Time (WAS), the aircraft landed safely in Madinah. By 05.35 WAS, all pilgrims had settled into their respective hotels,” said the Head of PPIH Medan, Zulkifli Sitorus, at the Medan Hajj Dormitory in North Sumatra, on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
Zulkifli explained that the aircraft had previously made a technical landing for refuelling at Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday.
However, after the refuelling process, a fault was discovered in the aircraft’s wheel hydraulic system, preventing it from continuing the flight. “The aircraft had to undergo repairs first before proceeding to the Holy Land,” he stated.
According to Zulkifli, the repair process took around 24 hours. During that period, the Hajj pilgrims were evacuated and accommodated in several hotels near Kualanamu Airport. He assured that all pilgrims received good service while waiting for their departure.
“All pilgrims were well served, including accommodation and meals provided by the airline,” he said.
Meanwhile, PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi, the operator of Kualanamu International Airport, recorded 274 Hajj flights making technical landings at the airport during this Hajj season.
Director of Operation and Services at PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi, Dedy Sri Cahyono, stated that the number consisted of 142 Garuda Indonesia flights and 132 Saudi Airlines flights. According to him, Kualanamu Airport serves as a strategic point for technical landings to refuel Hajj flights to the Holy Land.
“Hajj flight operations are running under control, supported by adequate apron and aircraft parking area capacity,” said Dedy.
He added that Kualanamu Airport also handles the embarkation phase for prospective Hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra from 22 April to 11 May 2026, as well as debarkation from 1 to 21 June 2026.