Weather Disturbance, the First Kloter of the Palembang Embarkation Hajj Delayed Departure

JAKARTA - The departure of the first group of pilgrims (cluster) of the Palembang Embarkation pilgrims through the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II Palembang Airport to Medina was delayed from the original schedule, Wednesday, at 07.10 WIB, due to bad weather.

The first batch of pilgrims for the Palembang Embarkation Hajj candidate plane just took off from the SMB II Palembang Airport at 08.15 WIB.

SMB II Palembang Airport Executive General Manager Ahmad Syaugi said the delay was influenced by the foggy weather conditions and the process of waiting for the last caterer to arrive at the airport.

"The weather condition this morning is foggy with a visibility of around 500 meters. But usually it doesn't last long because it is common after the night rain," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 22.

He explained that in addition to weather factors, the departure process was also delayed because passengers could not board before all catering needs were entered into the aircraft.

"Currently, we are still waiting for the third catering to arrive, so passengers cannot board and cause delays from the original schedule," he explained.

Despite the delay, the airport ensured that the departure of the pilgrims would still run according to safety procedures and flight services.

In addition, the first Kloter of the Palembang Embarkation uses Saudi Airlines with a Boeing 777 aircraft.

Regarding the flight duration, there is no change even though there is a conflict in the Middle East. The flight route is still carried out from Palembang to Kualanamu Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra first, then continued to Saudi Arabia

"Boeing 777 aircraft has certain limitations so it needs to refuel at Kualanamu," said Syaugi.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Directorate of Hajj and Umrah Control of the South Sumatra Religious Affairs Ministry, Muhibullah, said the number of pilgrims who departed was 438 people, plus four kloter officers and one regional haji officer, so that the total reached 443 people.

"All pilgrims in the first batch were still sent according to the manifest," he said.