Newsroom

JAKARTA, April 11, 2025 – In support of the smooth implementation of the 1446 Hijri / 2025 Hajj season, Lion Air has announced its full readiness to support the operational success of Hajj flights. Although only two (2) Airbus A330 aircraft are technically sufficient for the Hajj flights, Lion Air is preparing five (5) wide-body aircraft to ensure seamless service and provide optimal operational backup. This fleet will serve two major embarkation points in Indonesia:

• Banjarmasin Embarkation via Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (BDJ)
• Padang Embarkation via Minangkabau International Airport in West Sumatra (PDG)

Lion Air is operating four (4) primary aircraft for the Hajj flights, which are part of its total fleet of 12 Airbus A330 aircraft. These consist of a combination of Airbus A330-300CEOs and Airbus A330-900NEOs, each with a seating capacity of 436 in an all-economy configuration. One additional aircraft will be on standby as an operational backup at Kualanamu International Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra (KNO) to ensure smooth operations and anticipate unexpected situations.

This type of Airbus A330 aircraft has previously been used for Hajj and Umrah flights in the Middle East, Africa, and Western Asia, regions where the populations generally have taller body statures. Its use in Indonesia provides the added benefit of more spacious seating for pilgrims.

Efficient and Coordinated Operational System

Lion Air's aircraft placement has been designed according to an efficient system that is adaptive to the needs of each embarkation point and operational requirements. The readiness of a backup aircraft at Kualanamu adds an extra layer of security to ensure the reliability of flight schedules.

In accordance with the Hajj operational system set by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia:

• Wave I: Pilgrims depart from Indonesia to Madinah and return via Jeddah.
• Wave II: Pilgrims depart to Jeddah and return via Madinah.

Lion Air has prepared its services in line with this system, with flight schedules coordinated with all relevant parties.

For the 2025 Hajj season, Lion Air is projected to transport a total of 11,762 Hajj pilgrims, consisting of:

• Padang Embarkation (PDG): 6,293 pilgrims
• Banjarmasin Embarkation (BDJ): 5,469 pilgrims

This total includes group leaders (flight group officers) who will accompany and assist the pilgrims throughout the departure and return process.

The Airbus A330 aircraft used by Lion Air are of a modern generation, with an average aircraft age of 5 to 7 years, making them technically optimal for long-haul, non-stop flights from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.

This wide-body aircraft offers several key advantages, including:

• Ergonomic seats and generous legroom, adapted to the body structure of Asian populations, including Indonesians, ensuring comfort even during long flights (8–12 hours).
• Spacious and modern cabin design, equipped with lighting systems that adjust to day and night cycles to help regulate the body clock.
• Large capacity, allowing for efficient transportation of Hajj pilgrims in large groups while maintaining order.
• Worship-friendly features, such as enough space to pray while seated and planned in-flight entertainment that can be accessed via personal devices.

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