Indonesia And Saudi Arabia Agree To Expand Cooperation In Aviation

Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation

JAKARTA - Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in regulating air transportation, especially Hajj and Umrah flights. In addition, the two countries also agreed to add new routes.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi after meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.

"I express my gratitude for the mutual support cooperation between the two countries, especially in supporting Hajj flights," he said in an official statement, Tuesday, April 30.

On this occasion, Budi also witnessed the signing of the MoU for the two countries regarding air transportation arrangements. The signing of the MoU was carried out by the Director General of Civil Aviation, Maria Kristi Endah Murni and the Director General of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Dualej.

"I hope the signing of this new route schedule will improve the network of Indonesian and Saudi Arabia airlines and facilitate better relations between the two countries," said Budi.

Previously, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia signed an MoU governing air transportation rights in 2017.

Through the exchange of diplomatic notes, the Ministry of Transportation submitted proposals for changes related to Air Safety, Aviation Security and Authorizations and Designation, including proposals for new routes for commercial flights between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

In this year's amendments, flight routes from all International Airports in Saudi Arabia can land at Indonesian airports. The details are Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and Denpasar. On the other hand, flight routes from all International Airports in Indonesia can land in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Medina, and Taif.