Flight Delays for Prospective Hajj Pilgrims Repeatedly

The departure of prospective Indonesian pilgrims from the Donohudan Embarkation, Solo, was several hours late.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Officials are organizing the luggage of prospective hajj pilgrims that they will load onto the plane at Adi Soemarmo Airport in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, on Sunday (5/12/2024).

MEKKAH, KOMPAS - The delay of departure for Indonesian hajj pilgrims has occurred once again. The departure of Indonesian hajj pilgrims who are part of the flying group or Kloter 41 Donohudan Embarkation (SOC-41) has been postponed due to aircraft engine damage of Garuda Indonesia.

The SOC-41 flight crew was supposed to depart at 07.40 western Indonesian time (WIB). At that time, the congregation was already at the fast track location at Adi Soemarmo Airport, Boyolali Regency, Central Java. Because the plane had engine failure and it was estimated that repairs would take a long time, the prospective Hajj pilgrims were returned to the Hajj dormitory.

"We strongly rebuke Garuda. I received a report that the SOC-41 Hajj pilgrims were very angry and disappointed with Garuda Indonesia's services. Delay (delayed) up to four hours," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion M Ali Ramdhani in a press statement, Friday (24/5/2024).

Because SOC-41 was flying with the plane that was supposed to depart SOC-42, SOC-42's departure was also delayed, even up to seven hours.

Meanwhile, waves of prospective pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the peak hajj. Prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims flying in the second wave began arriving in Mecca City on Friday (24/5/2024). However, some prospective pilgrims departed late.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Families of hajj pilgrims were seen observing the preparations for the group's departure from the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory towards Adi Soemarmo Airport in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, on Sunday (12/5/2024).

On Friday morning, several groups of Indonesian hajj pilgrims arrived at a lodging in the city of Mecca. In the lobby of the Jawhart Muna Hotel, sector three, Mecca, for example, some of the pilgrims wore complete ihram clothing and were preparing to perform the obligatory umrah worship.

After being delayed, the SOC-41 pilgrims were finally departed with the aircraft that was originally designated for SOC-42, at 12.17 pm local time. According to Ali Ramdhani, this is an instant solution provided by Garuda Indonesia, but it leaves a new problem related to the departure of the SOC-42 pilgrims.

Also read: Prospective Solo Embarkation Hajj Pilgrims Begin to Depart

”Delay This (flight delay) creates a domino effect. "Because SOC-41 flew with the plane that was supposed to depart SOC-42, SOC-42's departure was also delayed, even up to seven hours," he said.

SOC-42 was supposed to depart at 17.30 on Thursday (23/5/2024) afternoon, it was also delayed for seven hours, then flew.

"Not to mention the departure of SOC-43 which is currently in the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory. They are also waiting for certainty of departure from the original schedule at 12:00 midnight on Thursday (23/5/2024). I received a report of a delay in the departure of SOC-43 for up to 17 hours," he said.

Compensation

According to the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hilman Latief, his office will send a letter expressing disappointment and strong protest to Garuda Indonesia.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested that Garuda provide accommodation as the stay period for the SOC-43 pilgrims in the Hajj dormitory has ended. The next group of pilgrims will also be entering the Hajj dormitory.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Prospective pilgrims will depart from GOR Satria Purwokerto for embarkation in Solo, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

"If it is not relocated, we request compensation for the accommodation cost per pilgrim due to Garuda not providing accommodation," he said. The Ministry of Religious Affairs also asked Garuda Indonesia to immediately improve its performance so that the problem of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims' flights does not continue to occur.

Air travel is an integral part of the hajj implementation process. Flight delays have an impact on other services, including the satisfaction level of Indonesian hajj pilgrims. "I ask that Garuda Indonesia be professional, work in accordance with the contract and commitments signed," said Hilman.

Also read: Hajj Pilgrims Urged to Leave for Friday Prayers Early

According to data from the Ministry of Religion, in the first week of Indonesian hajj pilgrims' departure, the percentage of delayed flights by Garuda Indonesia reached 47.5 percent. Out of 80 flights, 38 were delayed, some even up to three hours.

Previously, when contacted in a separate location, the Director of Utama PT Garuda Indonesia Irfaniaputra on Tuesday (21/5/2024) admitted that there were deficiencies in the implementation of the departure of prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. "We have nothing to deny. "This continues to focus on ensuring improvements in the future," he said.

According to Irfan, there are a number of factors that influence flight delays, starting from the situation in the dormitory, the readiness of the plane, to the process of boarding the plane. However, all these issues are the responsibility of Garuda Indonesia.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Hajj candidates are searching for their photos that are being sold at the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory complex in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, on Sunday (5/12/2024). This departure marks the first wave of the Solo Embarkation Cluster.

Previously, the departure of flight GA-1105 from Makassar (South Sulawesi) to Madinah (Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia) was delayed on Wednesday (15/5/2024). The B 747-400 aircraft carried 450 passengers and 18 crew members at 15.30 Wita from Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, and was scheduled to arrive in Madinah at 21.10 local time.

However, shortly after takeoff, one of the airplane's engines emitted sparks. The pilot decided to return to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport for further inspection to thoroughly check the airplane's engine. As a result, prospective Hajj pilgrims had to return to the dormitory while waiting for the readiness of a replacement plane.

Also read: Flights of Prospective Hajj Pilgrims Experience Delays in the First Week

Indonesia has been allotted a quota of 241,000 regular Hajj pilgrims and 27,680 special Hajj pilgrims this year. Regular Hajj pilgrims are flown by two airlines, namely Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines.

The first airline will transport 109,072 pilgrims in 294 groups, while the remaining 260 groups will fly with Saudia Airlines. As for Saudia Airlines, in the first week, the departure delay reached 18.06 percent from a total of 72 flights.