Starting This Year, West Java Hajj Pilgrims Commute Back And Forth From Kertajati Airport

Kertajati Airport. (Photo: Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has designated West Java International Airport (BIJB), located in Kertajati, Majalengka, as of Tuesday, January 7 as Hajj Embarkation / Debarkation. The Minister of Religion's Decree regarding the Determination of the BIJB as the Hajj Embarkation / Debarkation was handed over directly by the Minister of Religion (Menag) Fachrul Razi to the Deputy Governor of West Java Uu Ruzhanul Ulum, on the second floor of the international departure of the BIJB Kertajati, Majalengka, this Tuesday.

With this determination, the pilgrims from West Java (West Java) who initially departed for Saudi from Soekarno Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, will start flying through BIJB Kertajati starting this year. Likewise, when they return from Saudi Arabia, they will land at BIJB Kertajati. The quota for the West Java pilgrimage is 38,852 pilgrims, and is divided into 97 flying groups (kloter).

"All pilgrims from West Java Province will depart from the Bekasi Embarkation Hajj Dormitory, after the entire series of Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) processes and other one-stop services are completed at the Bekasi Embarkation Hajj hostel. Furthermore, all pilgrims will depart by bus from the Bekasi Hajj Dormitory to BIJB Kertajati, "said the Minister of Religion.

Ministry of Religion, today, Tuesday (07/01), designated West Java International Airport (BIJB) located in Kertajati, Majalengka as Hajj Embarkation / Debarkation. Ministry of Religion Sets Kertajati Airport as Hajj Embarkation / Debarkation https://t.co/VIS3zkAgPh pic.twitter.com/WedWS7VvjU

- Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia (@Kemenag_RI) January 7, 2020

The Minister of Religion emphasized that the government continues to improve services for Indonesian pilgrims. The presence of BIJB Kertajati Hajj Embarkation / Debarkation is expected to add comfort to West Java pilgrims.

"We want this year to have a pilot project for accelerating the immigration process when the congregation returns. If possible, it will be done in Jeddah or while on the plane so that when they arrive in the country, the congregation can go straight home, "said the Minister of Religion, adding that he hoped it could also be done in Kertajati for the pilot project.

Departure flow

Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Ministry of Religion of West Java, Buchori, explained that the departure process was divided into several channels. First, the process of accepting pilgrims to the Bekasi Embarkation Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH). The handover of the congregation is usually handed over directly from the Regent or Mayor, and takes only 2 hours.

The second stage is health checks for pilgrims and hajj documents. At this stage, passports, living costs and bracelets are also distributed. Pilgrims who have met the requirements can directly enter the Hajj dormitory room.

"After it is deemed that it fulfills the requirements that must be brought to Saudi Arabia, the congregation immediately enters the Hajj hostel. It also took a few hours, ”continued Buchori.

Furthermore, the congregation rested in the Hajj hostel, approximately 8.5 hours, before leaving for Kertajati Airport. Buchori estimates that the travel time from the Bekasi Embarkation to Kertajati Airport is around four hours.

Previously, if you went to Soekarno-Hatta Cengkareng Airport, the travel time was approximately two hours. "Taking this distance into account, we cut the rest time for pilgrims to 8.5 hours, from the previous 9 hours," said Buchori.

Bukhori hopes that West Java pilgrims will still get the Fast Track service facility. So, the immigration process is carried out all in the country. "I hope the Director General for the coming year does not change because yesterday we got the Fast Track. Our pilgrims are no longer examined in Saudi Arabia, "he concluded.