Regarding The Delay In Banjarmasin Embarkation, This Is Garuda Indonesia's Explanation And Apology

Garuda Indonesia flight cluster 4 of the Banjarmasin embarkation experienced delays due to technical midfielders. (IST)

JAKARTA - Garuda Indonesia President Director Irfan Setiaputra acknowledged the delay in the departure of the 4th batch of Banjarmasin embarkations due to technical problems. Therefore, he apologized for the delay.

"In connection with information that has surfaced regarding the adjustment of flight schedules and aircraft fleets for the group of 4 prospective pilgrims on Garuda Indonesia flights from the Banjarmasin embarkation, we can convey that the flight schedule adjustment was originally scheduled to depart on Saturday, June 3. This was done because of technical problems with aircraft engines that required further handling, especially regarding the change of aircraft spare parts," said Irfan Setiaputra's written statement received by VOI editorial team, June 3.

The technical obstacle was discovered after Garuda Indonesia officers and related teams were conducting a final inspection of the readiness of the fleet to be operated on flights to Medina for batch 4. "Due to these conditions, an assessment and mitigation of operational aspects have been carried out to support the smooth running of flight services for prospective pilgrims, both through the operation of replacement aircraft, additional flight services for pilgrims affected by fleet adjustments, adjustment of flight schedules for the next flight batch, arrangement of flow for the arrival of prospective pilgrims to the application of service recovery for prospective affected pilgrims," he explained.

With regard to the implementation of the mitigation, there is an adjustment to the flight schedule that we have further coordinated with relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of Hajj flights.

Furthermore, 328 candidates for Hajj Group 4 pilgrims from the Banjarmasin embarkation were dispatched in stages where 287 pilgrims on Saturday, June 3 at 22.00 WITA using the Airbus A330-400 fleet. Meanwhile, the rest of the congregation will depart with 2 (two) flights via Medan on Sunday, June 4.

"Through this opportunity, we also express our deepest apologies for the inconvenience experienced. We realize that the implementation of the pilgrimage this time is a momentum that has been awaited by the people of Indonesia. Therefore, we are trying to ensure that we continue to optimize service readiness, including through the implementation of thorough inspection of safety aspects to ensure that aspects of flight safety are maintained," said Irfan.

This delay, said Irfan Setiaputra, is an important note for Garuda Indonesia so that in the future it will be better. "This is certainly an important note in an effort to maximize the operational readiness of Hajj flights, especially regarding the potential identification and arrangement of safety hazards that we continue to optimize in the operation of Hajj flight services," he concluded.