aviation

Garuda Indonesia (GIAA) And Lion Air Prepare 19 Aircraft For 2025 Hajj Flights

State-owned airline PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (GIAA) and Lion Air Group have prepared at least 19 special aircraft including backup aircraft to support the smooth operation of 2025 hajj pilgrimage flights. Garuda Indonesia President Director Wamildan Tsani said that Garuda Indonesia is projected to transport 90,933 passengers in the 2025 hajj season consisting of 90,203 prospective hajj pilgrims and 730 hajj officers. Garuda Indonesia's hajj flights will be divided into 246 flight groups (kloter) departing from seven main embarkation points, namely Banda Aceh, Medan, Jakarta, Solo, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Lombok. "Gradually, the departure phase will take place from May 2-16, 2025 for flights to Medina, and May 17-31, 2025 for flights to Jeddah," said Wamildan as quoted on Sunday (4/27/2025). 

Meanwhile, the repatriation of pilgrims will take place from June 11 to June 25, 2025, with departures from Jeddah/Medina to the embarkation city. Wamildan said Garuda Indonesia will operate 13 wide-body fleets during the Hajj season, consisting of Boeing B777-300ER, Airbus A330-900 neo, and Airbus A330-300. Garuda has also prepared five leased aircraft to ensure smooth operations, as well as one reserve aircraft of the Airbus A330-300 type. 

Meanwhile, Lion Air has also prepared its fleet to support the smooth running of the 1446 Hijri/2025 AD Hajj flights. Lion Air management stated that the airline will operate five Airbus A330 aircraft, although operationally two aircraft are sufficient to support the Hajj flights. This fleet will serve two major embarkations, namely the Banjarmasin Embarkation via Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, and the Padang Embarkation via Minangkabau International Airport in West Sumatra. "We will operate four main aircraft, Airbus A330-300CEO and Airbus A330-900NEO, each with a capacity of 436 economy class seats," said Lion Air management. One additional aircraft will be on standby at Kualanamu International Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, as an operational reserve. Lion Air is expected to depart 11,762 hajj pilgrims, consisting of 6,293 pilgrims from the Padang Embarkation and 5,469 pilgrims from the Banjarmasin Embarkation. The total number includes group officers who will accompany the pilgrims during the departure process until repatriation. The two airlines are working together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to ensure the smooth operation of hajj flights, including following the established wave system. Wave I will bring pilgrims to Medina and be sent home via Jeddah, while Wave II will bring pilgrims to Jeddah and be sent home via Medina. 

Tag: Garuda Indonesia GIAA Lion Air Group Wamildan Tsani