Garuda Indonesia Will Depart 4,695 Prospective Hajj Pilgrims From Banda Aceh Embarkation

Garuda Indonesia (Photo: dock. Antara)

PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA) is scheduled to fly as many as 4,695 prospective pilgrims who are members of 12 flying groups (kloter) through the Banda Aceh Embarkation. Where the first batch of 393 prospective pilgrims was flown yesterday.

As for serving the inaugural flight of prospective pilgrims at the Banda Aceh Embarkation, Garuda uses a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with flight number GA-2101 departing from Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport at 17.45 WIB and is scheduled to arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport at 21.40 LT.

President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra, said that his party continues to strengthen its commitment to ensuring the smooth operation of phase 1 of the 1445H or 2024 pilgrimage departure. This commitment was also represented through the operation of the inaugural Hajj flight from the Banda Aceh Embarkation, yesterday.

Irfan stated that optimizing operational readiness continues to be carried out continuously by maintaining level of flight operational service, especially through aspects of the level of timeliness.

"Garuda Indonesia continues to make efforts to improve the quality of flight services and operations through various inputs that have been submitted by relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety, safety and comfort aspects of passengers," he said in an official statement, Thursday, May 30.

"In this case, Indonesian pilgrims can be implemented properly, including coordinating intensively with all stakeholders so that the mobilization of pilgrims can run smoothly and optimally," continued Irfan.

Irfan said that in the phase of departure for the Hajj pilgrimage in 1445H or 2024 which was served through the Banda Aceh Embarkation, Garuda Indonesia is scheduled to fly 12 flying groups (kloters) with the number of pilgrims who are transported at least around 4,695 pilgrims with the last departure schedule on June 10, 2024 at 11.05 WIB.

As for Wednesday, May 29, Garuda Indonesia has flown around 193 clusters, with the number of worshipers reaching at least 68,952 people heading to the Holy Land.

We understand the importance of the momentum of the pilgrimage for the people of Indonesia, where safe and comfortable flight services are one part of the pilgrimage. Therefore, we are trying our best to maintain and improve our readiness at all touch points of passengers so that the congregation can focus on carrying out worship," he said.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Ma'ruf Amin said Garuda Indonesia had prepared itself to continue to improve the performance of the 2024 Hajj Transport service.

"And I think the Indonesian Ministry of Religion has also reprimanded him so that there will be no more delays. Furthermore, the Vice President said that technical problems often occur, but in the future this must be an evaluation material for Garuda Indonesia," said Ma'ruf.

Head of the Administration Section of the Regional II Airport Authority (OBU), Aryani Satyapure, said that the first batch flight served by Garuda Indonesia had been running smoothly.

He said this was also supported by various operational readiness and a series of examinations by inspectors from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Ditjen Hubud) of the Ministry of Transportation.

"The Inspectors in charge of ensuring the aircraft's feasibility by conducting inspections include aspects of aircraftworthiness, complete aircraft documents, and checking licenses and ensuring the health condition of the pilot and crew (cabin crew) who are in charge of excellent conditions," Aryani said.