Minister Sternly Warns Saudia Airlines After Hajj Flights Make Emergency Landings

The Ministry of Religious Affairs, under Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has taken a firm stance against Saudia Airlines after two separate incidents forced emergency landings for Hajj pilgrim flights. One aircraft landed in Medan, and another in Batam, disrupting the travel plans of Indonesian pilgrims heading to the Holy Land. This is unacceptable. We have issued a strong warning and a warning letter to Saudia Airlines. They must be prepared for emergencies, including having adequate backup aircraft. It appears Saudia Airlines was not sufficiently prepared, leading to these disruptions.

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Kita sudah menyampaikan surat peringatan, teguran keras kepada mereka [Maskapai Saudia Airlines].

We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that all affected pilgrims receive their due rights, including accommodation and meals, while they wait for their rescheduled flights. Our teams are on the ground in Medan and Batam to provide direct assistance and ensure the airline fulfills its obligations. While these operational issues are beyond the government's direct control, we urge the pilgrims to remain calm and not lose their spirit. This unexpected downtime in hotels can be used to strengthen their mental readiness for the Hajj pilgrimage.

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Harus siap, harus siap, harus siap. Kita kadang-kadang bukan hanya maksa-maksa mereka harus siap, termasuk persiapan cadangan, pesawat cadangan sudah kita minta. Dan sepertinya ternyata tidak terlalu siap ini Saudia-nya.

From Indonesia's perspective, the Hajj pilgrimage is a sacred journey, and any disruption is deeply felt by the pilgrims and their families. While international news might focus on the operational failure, we see it as a matter of ensuring the comfort and spiritual readiness of our citizens undertaking this vital religious duty. Our priority is the well-being of the pilgrims, and we will hold the airline accountable for any shortcomings.

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Tunda itu kewajiban maskapai menyediakan hotel, makan tiga kali. Kita pantau terus, tim kita yang di Medan selalu pantau, ikut mendampingi jemaah kita yang di hotel-hotel itu, untuk memastikan kalau mereka mendapatkan hak mereka untuk semua kebutuhan mereka.