Garuda Prepares 14 Aircraft For 2024 Hajj Flights

ILLUSTRATION OF DOC VIA BETWEEN

PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk has prepared 14 wide-body aircraft to carry 109 thousand prospective pilgrims during the Hajj season 1445 H/2024 M.

The 14 planes will later serve prospective pilgrims from Indonesia from and to the Holy Land starting May 12 - July 21, 2024.

This year Garuda Indonesia won the trust to provide Hajj flight services for at least 109,072 prospective pilgrims.

"Various notes in the operation of Hajj flight services last year became the focus of accelerating the improvement of our services," said Garuda Indonesia President Director Irfan Setiaputra in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Friday, February 23.

Irfan revealed that one of Garuda Indonesia's main priorities is to provide safe and comfortable Hajj flight services for the elderly and for people who are rarely or have never made long-distance flights.

The readiness of the Hajj flight operation was marked by the Regular Hajj Congregation Air Transport Cooperation Agreement and the Hajj Organizing Officer for the Flying Group 1445 Hijri/2024 AD, which was signed by the President Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra and the Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Hilman Latief at the Office of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (22/2).

Irfan explained, this year, Garuda Indonesia serves prospective pilgrims who will later be divided into 294 flying groups (kloters). The prospective pilgrims will depart from nine embarkations, namely Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta-Pondok Gede, Solo, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Lombok.

The prospective pilgrims will depart gradually for the Holy Land from May 12 to June 10, 2024, with departures for Medina on May 12, 2024 and departure for Jeddah on May 24, June 10, 2024.

Furthermore, the phase of repatriation of the congregation will start from June 22 to July 21, 2024.

"Furthermore, to increase the value of this year's Hajj flight services, Garuda Indonesia will present an Islamic entertainment flight and food served according to the typical menu of the embarkation area," said Irfan.

The Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion, Hilman Latief, expressed his appreciation to Garuda Indonesia, especially in implementing a joint commitment to provide the best service for all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

"We certainly hope that the 2024 Hajj can run smoothly," said Hilman.