Newsroom

Commitment of a National Private Airline in Providing Safe, On-Time, and Inclusive Hajj Flight Services for All Pilgrims

BANJARMASIN, June 12, 2025 — Lion Air has announced its full readiness to operate flights for the repatriation phase of the 1446 Hijri/2025 Hajj pilgrimage from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, with arrival points via the Banjarmasin debarkation center in South Kalimantan, through Syamsudin Noor International Airport (BDJ).

As part of its contribution as a national private airline supporting Indonesia’s Hajj program, Lion Air continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing air transport services that prioritize safety, punctuality, and the specific needs of pilgrims — particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.

In support of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia’s 2025 Hajj theme, "Inclusive Hajj for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities," Lion Air is implementing a series of inclusive services, including:

• Priority service and assistance for elderly pilgrims and persons with disabilities
• Dedicated lanes and wheelchair availability at the airport
• Cabin crew and ground staff trained to serve with empathy and awareness of special needs
• Seat arrangements and baggage handling designed to support mobility and comfort

During this repatriation phase, Lion Air will operate 13 Hajj flight groups (kloter): 6 flights from Jeddah (JED) scheduled between June 14–24, 2025, and 7 flights from Madinah (MED) from June 26–July 8, 2025.

To ensure smooth operations, Lion Air has allocated 1 aircraft stationed in Jeddah, 1 in Madinah, and 2 aircraft based in Banjarmasin. This setup is designed to maximize efficiency and readiness, with one aircraft actively transporting pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and the other on full standby as an operational backup.

The fleet used for these flights consists of wide-body aircraft, namely the Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A330-900NEO. While one aircraft is technically sufficient for repatriation operations, Lion Air has chosen to deploy an additional standby aircraft to ensure maximum comfort and operational flexibility in case of technical issues or urgent needs.

All aircraft have undergone comprehensive inspection and maintenance by Batam Aero Technic, a member of the Lion Group, which holds international certification in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). This step ensures the highest safety and security standards are met throughout the operations.

Lion Air extends its sincere appreciation for the strong collaboration from all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation, Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney), AirNav Indonesia, Hajj mission staff, and other supporting parties who have contributed to the success of these operations.

With heartfelt prayers, Lion Air wishes all Hajj pilgrims a safe return to their homeland, in good health, filled with happiness, and enriched by a deeply meaningful spiritual journey.

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