Two Hajj flights experience disruptions, pilgrims accommodated in hotels

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reported that two Hajj flights operated by Saudia Airlines encountered issues while preparing to transport Indonesian prospective pilgrims to Madinah.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj, Maria Assegaf, stated that the affected aircraft were on the Surabaya-Madinah and Batam-Madinah routes, carrying groups of prospective pilgrims.

She explained that the first issue occurred on Sunday (26/4), when the Saudia Airlines aircraft serving the Surabaya-Madinah route made a technical landing at Kualanamu Airport in Medan due to a hydraulic malfunction.

The 380 affected prospective pilgrims have been accommodated in three separate hotels near the airport. They are also continuously receiving services and assistance from officials.

The second issue took place on Monday (27/4), when the same airline’s aircraft serving the embarkation group from Batam, Kloter 5, experienced a technical fault in its flight control system after arriving at Hang Nadim Airport.

Maria noted that the aircraft repair process is ongoing while awaiting the arrival of necessary spare parts. In the meantime, the pilgrims have been offered accommodation in five different hotels with full assistance from officials.

The Ministry of Hajj assures that prospective pilgrims continue to receive optimal services during the handling process.

“Coordination is continuously being carried out with the airline and all related parties to expedite this handling,” said Maria.

As of the seventh day of the Hajj operational period or Sunday at 24.00 WIB, 88 Kloter comprising 34,657 people have been dispatched to the Holy Land. Of that number, 78 Kloter or 30,611 people have arrived in Madinah.