Erick Thohir Calls Garuda Will Be The Aggregator Of Private Hajj Flights

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir held a meeting with the Hajj Organizing Agency.

During the meeting, the idea of Garuda Indonesia being the aggregator of Hajj flights was sparked.

The meeting was held by the Head of BP Haji Muhammad Irfan Yusuf (center) and Deputy BP Haji Dahnil Anzar.

The meeting was also attended by the President Director of Garuda Indonesia, the Military Commander of Tsani.

Furthermore, Erick said, the idea came from the problem of the lack of fleets for flights during the Hajj season.

"Number one earlier for Garuda, we first mapped the situation of the plane with facilities and others, who knows, we can make it an aggregator between Garuda and all flights rather than the private sector," he said at the Ministry of SOEs Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 18.

"So that the need for this number of aircraft can be sufficient, especially during the Hajj season, which of course with a significant number we have to find a solution," he continued.

Even so, Erick emphasized that the discussion was only an idea and there had been no official decision regarding this matter.

"This is one of the thoughts that cannot be a decision," said Erick.

Met separately, Garuda Indonesia President Director, Wamildan Tsani, admitted that there was no official scheme related to the idea.

He said all mechanisms would still be discussed with stakeholders.

"We'll see the mechanism later. That's just an idea. The idea is from the Ministry of SOEs, we will discuss the scheme further," said the Military Commander.

Regarding how many fleets have been prepared for Hajj flights, the Military Commander admitted that he is still in a position to wait for the quota of pilgrims set for next year.

However, he continued, if referring to the number of pilgrims in 2024 as many as 220,000, the number needed is 14 fleets.

This assumption is if Garuda Indonesia gets a share of half the number of pilgrims.

"If you just describe the 220,000 year congregation, we will bring more or less 14 more," he said.