104,172 Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Will Depart In 278 Garuda Aviation Groups

Illustration of pilgrims (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion together with PT Garuda Indonesia signed a cooperation contract related to the air transportation of Indonesian regular Hajj pilgrims 1444 Hijri/2023 AD. A total of 104,172 will depart in 278 development groups.

The signing of the agreement was carried out by the Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief with the President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra at the head office of the Ministry of Religion.

"Garuda Indonesia this year has again won the trust of transporting regular pilgrims to Saudi Arabia until they return to Indonesia," Hilman was quoted as saying by ANTARA, Thursday, April 27.

Hilman said a total of 104,172 people were members of 287 flying groups who departed using Garuda Indonesia aircraft.

The hundreds of thousands of people are worshipers who come from nine embarkations, namely Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta-Pondok Gede, Solo, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Lombok.

Hilman asked Garuda Indonesia to provide the best service, especially in organizing this year's Hajj, there are about 30 percent of pilgrims aged 65 years and over.

He asked for priority services for elderly and disabled pilgrims, both while boarding the plane, while on the plane, when getting off the plane, to get out of the plane, to get out of the airport.

"We ask that land and air officers of PT. Garuda Indonesia Tbk this year be more friendly and responsive in providing services to Indonesian pilgrims. Serve them is like serving our own parents," he said.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra said that his party had been a partner of the Ministry of Religion in dispatching and repatriating Indonesian pilgrims.

He said that prior to the signing of this cooperation, the two parties had carried out a series of intensive discussions, including price negotiations and discussion of the draft cooperation agreement.

"Thank you for trusting us. This year we have prepared 14 fleets consisting of Boeing 777 and Airbus 300 to transport Indonesian regular pilgrims from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and return to their homeland," he said.