Luhut, who was at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in Jakarta on Friday said that during the coordination meeting led by him, it was decided that the airport, which was inaugurated in June 2018, would be used to dispatch this year's Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
"Later, it will be calculated how many flight groups can be accommodated. This will be good because it will reduce 'traffic' in Jakarta, both aircraft and cars," he said.
Luhut leads the Kertajati Airport preparedness coordination meeting for Hajj and Umrah. The coordination meeting was also attended by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Religion Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and Deputy Governor of West Java Uu Ruzhanul Ulum.
"Earlier, the Minister of Religion had checked with the Deputy Governor of West Java with regard to manasik (rehearsal of hajj or/and umroh), health checks, and other facilities," he said.
The government decided that the Hajj embarkation from West Java this year would be transferred to the West Java International Airport (BIJB) in Kertajati, Majalengka.
The airport was readied to accommodate 20 batches of pilgrims from West Java, or about 4,000 potential pilgrims.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi during the coordination meeting discussed the ability of airlines and hotels to accommodate prospective pilgrims.
According to him, because of its location, it is likely that Kertajati Airport will be a special hajj and Umrah embarkation for eastern West Java, including Cirebon, Majalengka, Subang, Indramayu, Kuningan, Tasikmalaya to Ciamis.
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
