Garuda Indonesia Transports Hajj Pilgrims Damaged Machines At Solo Airport, Ministry Of Religion: Disappointed With Services Up To 4 Hours Delay

A number of pilgrims for Hajj Group 18 Embarkation Solo lined up to enter Garuda Indonesia aircraft at Adi Soemarmo Airport Solo, Thursday 16 May 2024. (ANTARA-Harianto)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has protested strongly to Garuda Indonesia due to delays or delays in flights for the 41st Solo (SOC-41) flight group pilgrims.

SOC-41 was supposed to depart at 07.40 WIB, Thursday, May 23. At that time, the congregation's position was already at the location of the Solo Airport fastrack. Because the plane suffered engine failure and was expected to be repaired for a long time, the congregation was returned to the Hajj dormitory.

"We strongly reprimand Garuda. I received a report that the SOC-41 pilgrims were furious and disappointed with Garuda Indonesia's services. Delay is up to four hours," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion M. Ali Ramdhani in a statement received in Medina, Thursday, May 23, as reported by Antara.

After waiting for up to four hours, the SOC-41 congregation was finally dispatched by plane that should have been used by SOC-42, at 12.17 WIB.

According to Dhani, this step was indeed an instant solution given by Garuda, but left new problems related to the departure of the SOC-42 congregation.

"This delay gives rise to domino effects. Because SOC-41 flies on an airplane that is supposed to dispatch SOC-42, SOC-42 departures are also delayed, even up to seven hours," he said.

"The SOC-42 departed at 17.30 this afternoon (Thursday, May 23) and was also delayed for seven hours and then just flew," he said.

Not only SOC-41 and SOC-42, the departure of SOC-43 also experienced delays. The congregation who are members of the SOC-43 Cluster is currently in the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory. Initially, they will depart on Thursday at 24.00 WIB, having to wait until an uncertain time.

"I received a report on the delay in the departure of SOC-43 to 17 hours," he said.

The Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Hilman Latief, emphasized that the Ministry of Religion would send a statement of disappointment and strong protest to Garuda.

The Ministry of Religion asked Garuda Indonesia to provide accommodation because the stay of the SOC-43 pilgrims in the Hajj dormitory has run out. The next batch of pilgrims will also enter the hajj dormitory.

"If it is not transferred, then we ask for compensation for accommodation costs per congregation as a result of not being given by Garuda Indonesia," said Hilman.

In addition, the Ministry of Religion also asked Garuda Indonesia to immediately act professionally to improve performance so that the problem of flights for Indonesian Hajj candidates does not continue to repeat itself.

"The flight is one unit of the process of organizing the pilgrimage. The delay in flights will have an impact on other services, including the feelings of Indonesian pilgrims. I ask Garuda Indonesia to be professional, work according to the contracts and commitments that have been signed," he said.