Angkasa Pura I Starts Serving The Return Of Hajj Pilgrims To Indonesia

Indonesian Hajj Return (Photo: AP I)

JAKARTA PT Angkasa Pura I through six airports managed to start serving the return of Hajj pilgrims to the country at the 2023 Hajj Congregation Air Transport (Hajj Transportation).

The period of debarkation will take place from July 4 to August 4, 2023. In this period of debaration, as many as 107,222 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 282 flying groups (clusters) are scheduled to be served by six airports managed by AP1.

President Director of PT Angkasa Pura I Lukman F. Laisa as the Temporary Substitute Officer (Pgs.) said that Juanda Airport in Surabaya was the first AP1 airport to serve the return of the Hajj pilgrims, with the landing of a Boeing 747-400 aircraft belonging to the Saudi airline on Tuesday 4 July afternoon at 15.52 WIB.

The plane with flight number SV5048 which departed from King Abdul Aziz Jeddah Airport carried 450 Hajj pilgrims who were members of the first batch of Surabaya embarkation.

On the same day, Juanda Airport Surabaya also served two other Hajj pilgrims' return flights, with the number of Hajj pilgrims served on Tuesday, July 4 reaching 1,342 Hajj pilgrims.

On Wednesday morning July 5, Solo's Adi Soemarmo Airport became the second AP1 airport to serve the return of the Hajj pilgrims with the landing of Garuda Indonesia's Airbus A330-900 flight number GA6201 at 04.31 WIB, carrying 358 Hajj pilgrims.

"Thank God, starting last Tuesday, Angkasa Pura I airport began serving the return of pilgrims from the Holy Land. Representing Management, we welcome back to the pilgrims in the country," he said, Wednesday, July 5.

Lukman said that in principle, Angkasa Pura I has prepared six airports to serve the return of Hajj pilgrims back to the country for the next month. Various preparations have been made, including airport infrastructure readiness, operational procedures, and services.

"We have also coordinated with relevant agencies to support the smooth handling of the return, so that Hajj pilgrims can feel comfortable after arriving at the airport to go to the Hajj dormitory," said Lukman.

Arrival Schedule At Six Airports

Lukman said Juanda Airport Surabaya began serving the return of Hajj pilgrims from Tuesday, July 4 to Friday, August 8 with 38,275 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 88 groups scheduled to be served.

Meanwhile, Adi Soemarmo Airport Solo and Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Makassar will start serving the return of the Hajj pilgrims from Wednesday 5 July to Thursday 3 August.

Meanwhile, Adi Soemarmo Airport is scheduled to serve the return of 35,273 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 99 clusters.

Then, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Makassar served 16,866 Hajj pilgrims who were members of 43 groups.

Then, SAMS Sepinggan Balikpapan Airport is scheduled to start serving the return of pilgrims on Saturday, July 8 and will last until Thursday, August 3, where it is scheduled that 6,101 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 21 groups will be served.

Syamsudin Noor Airport will start serving the return of Hajj pilgrims from Sunday 9 July to Wednesday 2 August, with 5,708 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 18 groups to be served.

Meanwhile, Lombok International Airport will only start serving the return of Hajj pilgrims on Wednesday 19 July, and is scheduled to last until Wednesday 2 August. A total of 4,999 Hajj pilgrims who are members of 13 groups are scheduled to be served.

"We also ensure that Hajj flight services and regular flights can run hand in hand, and in accordance with service standards that prioritize the principles of safety, security, services, and compliance," concluded Lukman.