Garuda Prepares 14 Wide-body Aircraft To Transport 104,172 Pilgrims In Hajj Season

Illustration of Garuda Indonesia (Photo: Doc Antara)

PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA) has prepared at least 14 large-bodied aircraft fleets to serve prospective pilgrims from Indonesia in this year's Hajj season. The aircraft can carry at least 104,172 prospective pilgrims.

As for the details, Garuda will operate seven Boeing B777-300, four Airbus A330-300, and three Airbus A330-900. The 14 fleets will later serve prospective pilgrims from Indonesia from and to the Holy Land from May 24 to August 2, 2023.

This Garuda committee was marked by the signing of cooperation in transporting the air of regular Hajj pilgrims and officers organizing the 2023 AD flying group pilgrimage which was carried out directly by the President Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra and the Director General of Hajj & Umrah Organization of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, Hilman Latief at the Head Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, Central Jakarta.

President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra said he would continue to maximize the operational readiness of this Hajj flight through intensive coordination with various stakeholders, to ensure that this year's Hajj flights can run smoothly, on time, and be able to provide comfort to all pilgrims.

This year, continued Irfan, Garuda Indonesia will operate 14 aircraft, 7 of which are provided through a wet lease scheme with the lessor.

"We also ensure that all wide-body aircraft that will be used to serve prospective pilgrims are in prime condition and feasible to fly through a series of layered inspections, including comprehensive maintenance of aircraft engines and all other vital aircraft components," Irfan explained in an official statement, Thursday, April 27.

Irfan said that all 104,172 prospective Hajj pilgrims this year will be divided into 287 flying groups (kloters) and will depart from 9 (nine) embarkations, namely Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta, Solo, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar, and Lombok.

Furthermore, Irfan said as an effort to provide added value to services for the congregation, Garuda Indonesia will present various entertainment options for In-flight Entertainment with Islamic nuances during flights.

"Not only that, the congregation will also get inflight catering according to the menu typical of the embarkation area," he said.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Hajj & Umrah at the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Hilman Latief expressed his appreciation to Garuda Indonesia for continuing to discuss intensively in preparing for the operational readiness of this year's Hajj flights.

"God willing, Garuda Indonesia will dispatch a regular Hajj of 104,172 consisting of 9 embarkations," said Hilman.

Hilman explained that 30 percent of Indonesian pilgrims this year are over the age of 65 years. For this reason, the elderly assistance policy must continue to be improved, including support from aviation service providers including Garuda Indonesia.

"To provide convenience for the needs of the elderly congregation in line with our common vision of providing inclusive services for all pilgrims," he explained.