Asia Correspondent

Chen Chuanren

The expansion and renovation on the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has resulted in a boost for the airline industry in Southeast Asia.

 


Garuda Indonesia and Malaysia Airlines are seeing increased demand for the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and plan to provide more specialized service to meet the needs of one of the largest gatherings of people in the world.

 


Saudi Arabia usually limits the number of pilgrims to Mecca by quota based on an agreement among the state members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to some 1.3 million annually for the five-day Hajj. In recent years, the quota for Indonesia and Malaysia has increased substantially after completion of the Grand Mosque’s renovations. The Saudi government this year allowed 221,000 pilgrims from Indonesia, up from 168,000, and 30,200 from Malaysia, compared with 27,900.

 


The largest Muslim population in the world lives in Indonesia, and its flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, serves as one of the main airlines for Hajj services. Garuda said that it carried 78,772 Hajj pilgrims in 205 groups in 2016, accounting for some 3.91 percent of its total operating revenue. Revenue did suffer a drop that year due to reduction of ticket price and the Hajj quota.

 


Garuda, which expects to carry 107,959 Hajj passengers this year, has committed 14 aircraft, consisting of five Boeing 777-300ERs and three 747-400s and six Airbus A330-300s. More than half of the cabin crew comes from the respective embarkation points to serve pilgrims who speak only local dialects.

 


Garuda added that the annual event has not negatively affected airline operations and performance. “The company’s Hajj airline services had been well planned in a mature manner as part of Garuda Indonesia’s overall operations,” a Garuda spokesperson said.

 


Malaysia Airlines (MAS) told AIN that Hajj and Umrah flights alone account for about 5 percent of its annual revenue. This year, most of Malaysia’s 30,200 pilgrims have opted to fly with MAS to Saudi Arabia. The airline now uses Airbus A330s and A380s and the Boeing 737 to satisfy Hajj commitments.

 


Malaysia Airlines announced earlier this year that it plans to establish an independent airline, with its own air operator certificate and management team, to serve primarily the Hajj and Umrah market.

 


“The progress thus far has been promising and we expect the operations to begin in October 2018,” Malaysia Airlines said.

 


The airline said it would reconfigure its six A380s from the current 494-seat layout to a high-density 700-seat configuration for the flights. MAS had hoped to sell its A380s due to high operating costs, but it has not managed to find a buyer.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Demand Surges For Hajj Flights from Southeast Asia

Primary Hajj flight beneficiaries Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia plan more specialized services to cater to pilgrims.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

Cathy Buyck

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Airlines

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

EVA Air Selects GEnx Engines to Power Additional Boeing 787s

The Taiwanese airline already operates 15 GEnx-powered 787s

Wilbur Air Plans to Operate Crisalion's Integrity eVTOL in Australia

Wilbur Air is a subsidiary of advanced air mobility ground infrastructure group Skyportz

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN