Reducing Cost Of Hajj Flights To IDR 32.7 Million, This Is The Consideration Of Garuda's Boss

Illustration of Garuda Indonesia (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA) has decided that the 2023 Hajj flight fee will be IDR 32.7 million per pilgrim. This figure has decreased by IDR 1.2 million from the amount originally proposed, which was IDR 33.4 million.

The Main Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra said that Garuda Indonesia is committed to ensuring the need for flight services for the Hajj pilgrimage can be carried out optimally and end to end.

Irfan said, this is also included in determining the flight fare scheme which is of course aligned with the composition of the costs of all operational components of haj flights.

"Through these various optimization steps, currently the cost of hajj flights proposed by Garuda Indonesia is IDR 32,743,992, a decrease of IDR 1.2 million from the initial discussion on haj flight costs with the Indonesian Ministry of Religion," said Irfan, in an official statement written Thursday, February 16.

Irfan explained that hajj flight fares were dominated by two main components, namely avtur costs and aircraft lease costs. Furthermore, the flight cost component also includes the provision of bags and suitcases for pilgrims.

This includes the provision and transportation of Zam Zam water, collection and transportation of baggage when pilgrims return to Saudi Arabia, and land transportation for pilgrims from the Hajj hostel to the airport and vice versa.

"We are making efforts to adjust the cost of this Hajj flight by optimizing all existing cost components while maintaining Garuda Indonesia's service quality standards in all operational lines. This is our main focus in presenting the best flight services for prospective pilgrims," ​​he said.

Apart from that, continued Irfan, Garuda also took into account the demographics of prospective pilgrims this year, where as many as 30 percent of the people who perform the pilgrimage this year are over 65 years old.

"This is our commitment to always prioritize the mandate as a national flag carrier in serving Hajj flights," he said.