"There will be around 20 groups or some seven thousand to eight thousand pilgrims from Subang District and its surroundings that will depart from Kertajati Airport," Sumadi noted in a statement obtained here on Monday.
The minister inspected the airport on Sunday (March 19).
The Religious Affairs Ministry has designated Kertajati Airport as one of the Hajj embarkation and debarkation airports.
The pilgrims departing from Kertajati Airport come from Cirebon City and the districts of Cirebon, Majalengka, Indramayu, Kuningan, Subang, and Sumedang.
Hajj pilgrims will depart for the 2023/1444 Hijri pilgrimage season in June.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia had sent a letter to the Indonesian Transportation Attache in Jeddah confirming that 21-23 Hajj flights would depart from Kertajati Airport.
In addition to the Hajj pilgrimage, Sumadi revealed that several flight slots are still available at the airport to serve Umrah during the Eid 2023 period.
"Some 10 days before Eid, many pilgrims usually want to go to Umrah. At Kertajati Airport, the slots are unlimited, so we can accept whatever it is," he remarked.
He noted that the Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan (Cisumdawu) toll road that will become operational since mid-April is expected to expedite people's movement to and from Kertajati Airport.
"With the operation of the Cisumdawu Toll Road, the travel time from Bandung to Kertajati and vice versa is approximately one hour. We hope that Kertajati Airport will be livelier, the Cisumdawu Toll Road will be more crowded, and people around Subang, who will go to the airport or vice versa, will be more comfortable because accessibility is easier," he stated.
Related news: Saudi ensures Kertajati Airport's readiness to serve Hajj flights
Related news: Toll road to Kertajati airport 60% complete: official
Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
