Ensure Hajj Flight Service 2023 Smoothly, Ministry Of Transportation Provides 13 Embarkation Airports

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi while reviewing the departure of the Hajj pilgrims at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta) Tangerang, Banten, ensures that the 2023 Hajj flight service runs safely, safely, comfortably, and smoothly

In his review, the Minister of Transportation also greeted and encouraged the congregation from the Jakarta-Bekasi embarkation scheduled to depart at 08.15 WIB via Soetta Airport.

"The pilgrimage is the call of Allah SWT because not everyone can perform this worship. To the congregation who departs, keep their enthusiasm for worship and always be healthy," said the Minister of Transportation, quoted from a written statement received in Jakarta.

Regarding the implementation of Hajj Air Transport activities in 2023, he also ensures the readiness of aircraft, airport infrastructure facilities, and personnel on duty can provide maximum security, safety, and service for the congregation.

"For the elderly pilgrims, we also coordinate with the Ministry of Religion to prepare elderly friendly services so that it is easier for the elderly to access facilities at the airport," he said.

There are 13 Hajj embarkation airports prepared for Hajj transportation in 2023, including Kertajati Airport in West Java, which this year is the first to serve Hajj embarkation and debarkation.

The thirteen airports are Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport (BTJ/Banda Aceh), Kualanamu Airport (KNO/Medan), Minangkabau Airport (PDG/Padang), Hang Nadim Airport (BTH/Batam), Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (PLM/Palembang), Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CKG/Cengkareng).

Then, Adi Sumarmo Airport (SOC/Solo), Juanda Airport (SUB/Surabaya), Syamsudin Noor Airport (BDJ/Banjarmasin), Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport (BPN/Balikpapan), Sultan Hasanuddin Airport (UPG/Makassar), Lombok Airport (LOP/Praya), and Kertajati Airport (KJT/Majalengka).

In addition, six intermediate Hajj embarkation airports were also prepared, namely Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Airport (Jambi), Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport (Pekanbaru), Fatmawati Soekarno Airport (Bengkulu), Depati Amir Airport (Bangka Belitung), Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung), and Djalaluddin Airport (Gorontalo).

Previously, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia agreed on a 2023 hajj quota of 221,000 people. The quota consists of 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims. Hajj pilgrims are divided into 537 groups and departed by two airlines, namely Garuda Indonesia, which will serve 287 groups and Saudi Arabia Airlines serving 250 groups.

The departure of the first wave of pilgrims to Medina starts from May 24 to June 7, 2023. Furthermore, wave II to Jeddah will depart from June 8 to 21, 2023.

For the return of wave I from Jeddah on July 4 to 18, 2023 and wave II from Medina on July 19 to August 2, 2023.