Qatar Airways Umrah Passengers Transferred to Garuda Indonesia

1 min readUpdated May 27, 2025Jun 12, 20172:30 AM

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Qatar Airways umrah passengers will be transferred to flag carrier Garuda Indonesia. “We have a partnership with Qatar Airways. Some passengers to be carried from Jakarta to Saudi Arabia will be transferred to Garuda Indonesia, it expected to happen in a short term,” Garuda CEO Pahala Mansyuri told us yesterday, June 8. According to Pahala, the opportunity will be exploited by Garuda Indonesia to introduce its highly potential umrah services. The first phase will see the transfer of 45 Qatar Airways passengers in Jakarta-Saudi Arabia route. In the phase, around 150 passengers will be carried in the routes previously operated by Qatar Airways.

In a written statement issued Wednesday Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that he has not revoked Qatar Airways flight license. The government will only transfer Indonesian umrah passengers using Qatar Airways to other airlines.

Budi said that the transfer will be done in the wake of the diplomatic row between Qatar and some other Gulf countries. The conflict has resulted in a ban on Qatar Airways from flying above Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, which is the destination country of hajj and umrah.

As for flights from and to Indonesia, Qatar Airways may still carry passengers as usual. “Qatar Airways can still serve flights from and to Indonesia and [passengers] may continue the travel to third countries aside from those having diplomatic issues with Qatar,” the minister said.

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What this means

Garuda Indonesia's swift action to absorb Qatar Airways' umrah passenger traffic is a commercially astute move, capitalising on geopolitical disruption to strengthen its religious tourism offerings. This directly pressures rivals also vying for this high-value segment, as Garuda gains immediate customer base and route experience. While the initial phase involves a modest 45 to 150 passengers, it strategically positions Garuda to introduce and scale its 'highly potential umrah services'. The primary risk lies in ensuring smooth service delivery and preventing any passenger dissatisfaction from tarnishing this opportunistic gain. The focus will now be on how quickly Garuda expands this capacity and whether it translates into sustained market share. Watch for further announcements on increased flight frequencies or passenger counts on the Jakarta-Saudi Arabia route.

Maria Santos

Questions & Answers

How many passengers are expected to be transferred initially from Qatar Airways to Garuda Indonesia for Umrah services?

The first phase of the transfer will involve 45 Qatar Airways passengers travelling on the Jakarta-Saudi Arabia route. Subsequently, around 150 passengers will be carried on routes previously operated by Qatar Airways by Garuda Indonesia.

What is the reason given for the transfer of Qatar Airways Umrah passengers to other airlines?

The transfer is due to a diplomatic dispute between Qatar and some Gulf countries. This conflict led to a ban on Qatar Airways flying over those Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the destination for Umrah travellers.

Does Qatar Airways still have permission to operate flights to and from Indonesia?

Yes, Qatar Airways can still operate flights to and from Indonesia as normal. Passengers may continue their journeys to other countries, provided those nations are not involved in diplomatic issues with Qatar.

Which specific routes will Garuda Indonesia be taking over from Qatar Airways for Umrah passengers?

Garuda Indonesia will primarily be taking over the Jakarta-Saudi Arabia route for the initial phase of passenger transfers. The article also mentions carrying around 150 passengers on routes previously operated by Qatar Airways.

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