PT Angkasa Pura II Will Increase Umrah Flights Through Kertajati Airport

The departure of Umrah pilgrims from Kertajati Airport will be increased as the airport is fully operational on October 29, 2023. (Between/HO-Angkasa Pura II)

JAKARTA - PT Angkasa Pura II seeks to increase Umrah flights at West Java International Airport (BIJB) or Kertajati Airport. The Badara has officially fully operated to serve domestic and international flights after the transfer from Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung.

The full operation of Kertajati Airport was marked by two inaugural flights, namely the AirAsia airline on the Kertajati-Denpasar route departing at 08.15 WIB and the Super Air Jet airline flight on the Kertajati-Medan route departing at 08.30 WIB.

"AP II is trying to increase Umrah flights at Kertajati Airport to make it easier for the people of West Java," said AP II President Director Muhammad Awaluddin in an official statement, Sunday, October 29.

Moreover, continued Awaluddin, the number of Umrah pilgrims in Indonesia this year reached around 1.5 million pilgrims, and as many as 60 percent or around 900,000 pilgrims were served at AP II airport. About 80 percent of the 900,000 pilgrims are served at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"We are trying to get 30 percent of Umrah pilgrims at Soekarno-Hatta Airport to move to Kertajati Airport. Of course, Umrah pilgrims from West Java. Then, slots available at Soekarno-Hatta Airport can be developed again for international and domestic flights," he said.

Awaluddin said AP II will also discuss this plan with domestic and foreign airlines. Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air Group have also served Umrah flights from Kertajati Airport several times.

"Regarding Hajj and Umrah flights, the overseas airline we will discuss is an airline from the Middle East," he said.

On the same occasion, the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers of the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief revealed that the potential for Hajj and Umrah flights through Kertajati Airport is very good and will increase.

West Java is the province with the most Hajj pilgrims. For this reason, we will optimize it next year in line with the additional quota. We also urge Umrah organizers and prospective Umrah pilgrims to take advantage of it and enliven Kertajati Airport," he said.