Ministry Of Religion And Garuda Indonesia Sign Hajj Candidate Transport Agreement

Director General of PHU of the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief and President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia, Wamildan Tsani, during the signing of the MoU for Hajj Flights in 1446 H/2025 AD. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion and Garuda Indonesia has signed a cooperation agreement for the transportation of regular pilgrims and officers for Hajj 1446 H/2025 M.

The cooperation agreement was signed by the Director General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Hilman Latief and the President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia, Wamildan Tsani, in Jakarta, Thursday, February 27.

"After this process, we enter a new chapter, which is more technical regarding the preparation of pilgrims such as globoranters, visualizers, and schedules, we also fix," said Hilman Latief as quoted by ANTARA.

Hilman said that the cooperation agreement between the two parties was carried out after a long and quite dynamic process. This year, the Ministry of Religion must negotiate with three different airlines with different characters. The three are Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Saudia Airlines.

"This is a new job and experience, as well as a challenge for all of us," he said.

He appreciated Garuda Indonesia and the ranks for the dedication that had been given to serve Indonesian pilgrims.

"Hopefully in this year's Hajj we can join hands and together prepare the best service for Indonesian pilgrims," said Hilman.

President Director of PT. Garuda Indonesia Military Commander Tsani said that his party has carried out the mandate as a provider of flight services for Indonesian pilgrims since 1995.

"We will continue to maintain this trust to ensure the feasibility of flights that always prioritize security, safety and comfort aspects in all flight operations of Indonesian pilgrims," he said.

According to him, Garuda Indonesia has made technical preparations ranging from aspects of the fleet, infrastructure, to officers to serve flights for pilgrims this year.

"We make sure it is in line with the operational schedule for Hajj flights, then ensure the flight time target can be achieved, by always prioritizing the comfort of pilgrims," he said.

The military commander also said that his party had prepared special services for elderly pilgrims and those who had only traveled by plane which was continuously optimized.

This is done by providing convenience ranging from the provision of supporting infrastructure to education and socialization to pilgrims.

"Through the various preparatory steps we have taken, we hope that the implementation of Hajj flights can run well and smoothly and God willing, it can run better than the previous year," said the Military Commander.

This year, PT. Garuda Indonesia will transport 90,993 Indonesian Hajj candidates and Hajj Organizing Officers (PPIH) from seven embarkations.

The seven embarcations are Aceh Embarkation (BTJ) as many as 4,412 people, Medan Embarkation (KNO) 8,398 people, Jakarta-Pondok Gede Embarkation (JKG) 18,223 people, Solo Embarkation (SOC) 33,806 people, Balikpapan Embarkation (BPN) 5,756 people, Makassar Embarkation (UPG) as many as 15,804 people, and Lombok Embarkation (LOP) as many as 4,534 people.