Amin made the statement in response to a number of reported flight delays experienced by the first group of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
"I expect all airlines to ensure that they will comply with the agreed flight schedules and make all-out efforts to avoid delays," the vice president said, while delivering a press statement after conducting an inspection on the Batamindo Green Farm in Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday, according to a press release received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Flight delays, he said, will negatively affect Hajj pilgrims, especially those who travel from remote areas.
"Our Hajj pilgrims came from villages, and then they arrived at embarkation points. Such a journey is tiresome for them. They will be even more exhausted if they are forced to wait longer, and not to mention the time they will take to arrive there (in the Holy Land)," VP Amin stated.
In fact, this year's Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are dominated by those belonging to elderly groups whose departures are being prioritized following the delays, due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With that in mind, the vice president stressed the importance of preventing delays from occurring again. This request has also been voiced by the Religious Affairs Ministry.
"I have also heard that the Religious Affairs Ministry has made an appeal (to airlines), so there will be no more flight delays. If a delay is happening again, then the pilgrims will have the right to receive compensation as the consequence," he noted.
While delivering a press statement, the VP was accompanied by Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer of Batamindo Green Farm Agustiadi Lee Batamindo, Green Farm's Legal Director Mark Vincent, and Vice Presidential Special Staff Masduki Baidlowi.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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