Pope Francis Continues Apostolic Travel To Papua New Guinea With Garuda Indonesia Airbus 330-900 Neo

Pope Francis and President Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra (Photo: Garuda Indonesia)

JAKARTA - The leader of the worldwide Catholic Church as well as the Head of the Vatican Holy See State, Pope Francis will leave Indonesia today. The Pope is scheduled to continue his avatolic journey to Papua New Guinea.

Pope Francis boarded a Garuda Indonesia plane via Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten at 09.45 LT and is scheduled to arrive at Jackson International Aiport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea at 18.50 LT.

President Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra confirmed the news. He said his party received charter orders for Pope Francis' trip to Papua New Guinea.

"Yes Garuda Indonesia (charter aircraft)," said when contacted by VOI, Friday, September 6.

Irfan said the plane that will take Pope Francis to Papua New Guinea is Airbus 330-900 Neo. Airbus 330 itself is classified as a wide-body aircraft.

"On the flight to Papua New Guinea, Garuda Indonesia operates a wide body aircraft type A330-900neo with flight number GA-7780 which can carry up to 301 passengers," said Irfan.

As part of the service on Pope Francis' Special Flight this time, Garuda Indonesia assigned 16 crew members consisting of 4 cockpit crews and 12 cabin crews.

"Garuda Indonesia also brings a number of special touches to the services and touch points provided, including in flight menus and inflight materials," he explained.

For your information, Indonesia became the first country that Pope Francis visited in a series of visits to Asia-Pacific. The leader of the world Catholic Church is in Indonesia from 3 to 6 September 2024.

After leaving Indonesia, Pope Francis will continue his journey to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and Vanimo from September 6 to 9, 2024, Dili (Timor Leste) from September 9 to 11, 2024, and Singapore from September 11 to 13, 2024.

Previously, it was reported that as many as 600 members of the TNI-Polri were deployed to escort the return of the Supreme Leader of the World Catholic Church, Pope Francis, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), Tangerang City.

"The Soekarno-Hatta Airport Subsatgas consists of TNI-Polri with a total of about 600 people held from Pam Ring 2 and Pam Ring 3," said Dandim 0506 Tangerang Lt. Col. Inf. Ary Sutrisno to reporters at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang City, Friday, September 6.

Ary explained that in today's security, Ring 1 is guarded by colleagues from the presidential security forces (Paspampres). Then Ring 2 and 3 are guarded by the TNI-Polri.

"In the Pam Ring 1, it is from Paspampres colleagues, then another strengthening, then in Ring 2 TNI colleagues assisted by the Police also in Ring 3," he said.

On his occasion, Ary also explained that 78 points were guarded when Pope Francis returned through Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang City.

"There are about 78 points, both static and mobile," he said.