Newsroom

P A D A N G, April 23, 2025 — In order to ensure a safe, comfortable, and blessed air travel experience, Lion Air conducted a meal taste testing for the food service that will be provided to pilgrims during the 1446 H/2025 M Hajj season. This activity took place at two main embarkation points: Padang (PDG) and Banjarmasin (BDJ), demonstrating Lion Air’s commitment to offering the best service, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities.

For this year’s Hajj season, Lion Air will transport a total of 11,679 pilgrims, consisting of:

• Padang Embarkation (PDG): 6,249 pilgrims
• Banjarmasin Embarkation (BDJ): 5,430 pilgrims

As an airline appointed to operate non-stop Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia, Lion Air prioritizes the quality of its inflight meal service. The meal testing serves as a crucial step to ensure that the food meets pilgrims’ expectations in terms of taste, safety, hygiene, and suitability with Indonesian culinary preferences.

Meal Service Details During the Flight Lion Air provides complete halal meal services for the direct flights to Saudi Arabia (approximately 9–10 hours). Meals are served every 4 hours by trained cabin crew, offering a humane and inclusive service experience.

All meals are tailored to suit traditional Indonesian tastes, are easy to consume, and are senior-friendly. Lion Air also ensures hygienic presentation and adherence to nutritional standards to support pilgrims' health throughout their spiritual journey.

Meal Taste Testing: Collaboration with Stakeholders

• In Padang, West Sumatra, the event was attended by:
  • Muchlis Muhammad Hanafi, Director of Overseas Hajj Services, Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization, Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia
  • Mahyudin, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kanwil Kemenag) of West Sumatra Province
  • H. Al Amin, Head of the People’s Welfare Bureau, Secretary of the West Sumatra Provincial Government
• In Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, attendees included:
  • H. Muhidin, Governor of South Kalimantan
  • Dr. H. Muhammad Zain, Director of Domestic Hajj Affairs, Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization, Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia
  • Dr. H. Muhammad Tambrin, M.M.Pd, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of South Kalimantan Province

Lion Air management was led by Capt. Rachmat Diansyah Putra, Director of Production at Lion Air, overseeing operations, safety and security, aircraft maintenance, human resources, and business, along with key strategic figures such as Azhari Hs (General Manager of Hajj and Umrah Services at Lion Air), Capt. Ariga Cakrawala Putra (Director of Airport Facilities and Services at Lion Group), and Danang Bayu Raharjo (Head of Catering at Lion Air). This collaboration is an essential part of ensuring optimal, inclusive, and standard-compliant service to the pilgrims.

During the event, stakeholders conveyed messages urging Lion Air to maintain high standards in Hajj services, focusing on:

• Cabin comfort and safety
• Supporting facilities and infrastructure
• Food quality and taste tailored to pilgrims’ needs, particularly vulnerable groups

Lion Air listened carefully and acknowledged the input from stakeholders regarding the importance of maintaining food service quality during Hajj flights. Therefore, Lion Air remains committed to ensuring that the meals served reflect Indonesian culinary tastes, meet pilgrims' nutritional needs, and are friendly for the elderly and those with disabilities. All feedback will serve as a foundation for ongoing service evaluation and improvement.

Commitment to Elderly- and Disability-Friendly Services Aligned with the national theme "Elderly- and Disability-Friendly Hajj," Lion Air continues to enhance its services by:

• Special training for cabin crews in assisting special-needs pilgrims
• Carefully selecting food menus suited to elderly needs
• Providing assistance and service simulations from departure, during the flight, until arrival in the Holy Land

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