AP II Boss Suggests Hajj Pilgrims From West Java To Fly Through Kertajati Airport

Hajj illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Angkasa Pura II proposes that Hajj pilgrims from West Java be dispatched through Kertajati Airport, Majalengka at the 1445 H/2024 pilgrimage. This step was taken to reduce the burden on Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta) to time efficiency.

President Director of Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin said there were a number of considerations before proposing the plan. One of them, related to the condition of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten.

Awaluddin said, Soetta Airport bears a high burden by accommodating the flying group (kloter) of pilgrims. Where, there are four provinces whose departures come from the airport, namely West Java, Lampung, Banten and DKI Jakarta.

"If the Director General of Hajj and Umrah is carried out because there is also a direction from the Minister of Transportation if the congregation from West Java can all depart at Kertajati," he said in a Hearing Meeting with Commission VII DPR, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 15.

In addition, Awaluddin said that moving the departure of pilgrims to Kertajati Airport would also make it easier and save time for pilgrims from West Java

"This will make it easier for pilgrims who are constrained by age or crossing locations," he said.

Awaluddin said efficiency could be done by dispatching around 90-95 West Java pilgrims through Kertajati Airport. Even so, Awaluddin told the government the decision.

"So if this can be done, maybe almost 90-95 groups of West Java pilgrims can all Kertajati, but again the decision is with the government, of course it is the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Transportation and also coordination with airlines. Because airlines that will later transport pilgrims are Saudi Airlines and Garuda," he said.

However, said Awaluddin, what needs to be considered when moving the departure of prospective pilgrims is the dormitory facility as a place for prospective pilgrims to live.

"Back again to the readiness of the Hajj dormitory is also prepared," he said.