Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Transportation Ministry reported that Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java, met the standard requirements for Hajj flight services after being reviewed by the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on February 15.

Kertajati Airport is ready to serve as a Hajj embarkation airport after having fulfilled standard aspects of flight security and safety, service, and other aspects, such as immigration, customs, and quarantine services (CIQ).

The ministry's Director General of Air Transportation M. Kristi Endah Murni stated that the Saudi Arabian GACA team had reviewed the readiness of Kertajati Airport services for Hajj flights and several standard requirements.

"In the near future, GACA will send a clearance letter to the directorate general of air transportation of the Ministry of Transportation as proof of the results of the review and direct observation of Kertajati Airport," she noted in a written statement received here, Saturday.

After the Transportation Ministry receives a letter of eligibility or clearance letter, it can be ascertained that for the 2023 Hajj season, the West Java pilgrims can depart from Kertajati Airport.

"It will be an honor for Hajj pilgrims from West Java and its surroundings to be able to depart via Kertajati Airport because it can save their time without having to go to Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang," Murni explained.

The director general also called on all aviation stakeholders involved in preparing Hajj flights to conduct their services in tune with the predetermined procedures to ensure a successful 2023 Hajj season.

Earlier, the GACA team, accompanied by the attaché of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, was welcomed by representatives from the technical directorate of the directorate general of air transportation, West Java International Airport (BIJB), and state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, along with representatives of agencies in charge of CIQ, local governments, and agencies in charge of the implementation of Hajj pilgrimage, Murni stated.

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Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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