Saudi Arabia allows Garuda to fill empty seats on hajj return flights
The move lets charter planes from Saudi Arabia carry passengers into Indonesia, opening access to Middle East tourism markets.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has allowed Garuda Indonesia to fill empty leg seats on charter flights returning from the hajj. Until now, hajj charter planes from Saudi Arabia have flown back to Indonesia without passengers. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the approval came after Indonesian government diplomacy through the Foreign Ministry. He said President Prabowo Subianto had earlier asked ministries to find a solution for the empty seats. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah then coordinated with the Transportation Ministry, the Tourism Ministry and Garuda Indonesia so the scheme can begin this hajj season and continue afterward. The government is also preparing promotions for Indonesian tourism in the Saudi Arabia and broader Middle East markets.