9 hours ago
10
March 18, 2025 | 06:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Saudia Airlines will provide flight services to five Indonesian Hajj embarkation points during the 1446 Hijri or 2025 Hajj season. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has formalized the air transportation for this year's hajj pilgrimage with Saudia Airlines. The signing took place between Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Hilman Latief, and General Manager of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Amer G Alghamdy, at the Hajj Affairs Office in Jeddah on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Saudia Airlines is the latest carrier to join the air transportation efforts for the 2025 Hajj season. Previously, the Ministry of Religious Affairs concluded air transportation contracts with Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air.
"Thank God, the stages of providing air transportation for Hajj pilgrims and officials have been completed with the signing of the agreement with Saudia Airlines," said Hilman in Jeddah, as quoted from his official statement on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Hilman detailed that Saudia Airlines will transport 102,182 pilgrims and officials during this year's Hajj season. "Pilgrims and officials who will be transported by Saudia come from five embarkation points which include 11 provinces," he explained.
The five embarkation points are: Batam Embarkation, serving pilgrims from Jambi, Riau, Riau Islands, and West Kalimantan; Palembang Embarkation, serving pilgrims from South Sumatra and Bangka Belitung; Jakarta Embarkation, serving pilgrims from Jakarta and parts of West Java; Kertajati Embarkation, from parts of West Java; and Surabaya Embarkation, serving pilgrims from East Java, Bali, and East Nusa Tenggara.
Hilman revealed that a series of preparations has been conducted, including procurement selection, price negotiations, draft discussions, and the signing of the cooperation agreement. He acknowledged that the process leading to this agreement was complex and demanding.
"Both parties required a lot of patience, keenness, and perseverance in negotiating to be able to agree to understand and collaborate between the Indonesian government as the sender of pilgrims and Saudia Airlines as the provider of air transportation," Hilman emphasized.
This cooperation agreement, Hilman explained, outlines the rights and obligations of each party to ensure service standards in air transportation, encompassing operational, in-flight, and post-Hajj operational periods.
Saudia Airlines has provided information regarding transportation preparations, including the readiness of aircraft assigned to carry Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, which have approved flight schedules from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia for both departures and return flights.
Hilman noted that based on pilgrim data, flights will accommodate a significant number of pilgrims who are over 65 years old, at high risk, and disabled. All departing pilgrims have been declared medically fit for Hajj by the Ministry of Health.
"Services provided are those when boarding the plane, while on the plane, when disembarking from the plane, and leaving the airport. We hope that the ground and air personnel from Saudia Airlines can be more friendly and responsive in providing services to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. Serving them as if serving our own parents," concluded the Director General of Hajj and Umrah.
Editor's Choice: Over 13,000 Hajj Applicants Fail Visa Verification, Says Minister
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Nabawi Mosque Sees Over 14 Million Visitors in First Half of Ramadan 2025
2 jam lalu
More than 14 million people visited Nabawi Mosque in Medina in the first half of Ramadan 1446 H/2025.
Government to Lift Ban on Sending Indonesian Workers to Saudi Arabia
6 jam lalu
The moratorium on sending Indonesian workers to Saudi Arabia was previously imposed since 2015.
How to Use the Newly Launched QRIS Tap for Seamless Payments
1 hari lalu
A guide to using QRIS Tap for various payment methods, from public transportation to retail outlets.
BPS: Dates Imports Reach 16,470 Tons Ahead of Eid Al-Fitr
1 hari lalu
In February 2025, Indonesia's dates imports reached 16.47 thousand tons, an increase compared to last year.
Minister: Prabowo Supports Plan to Lift Ban on Sending Migrant Workers to Saudi Arabia
3 hari lalu
President Prabowo has agreed to lift the ban on sending Indonesian migrant workers to Saudi Arabia. They are set to be sent starting in June.
Solo City to Hold Longest Ramadan Iftar in Indonesia; 15,000 Meals Prepped
4 hari lalu
The longest Ramadan breaking fast in Solo, Central Java, on Friday, March 14, 2025, will be recorded in the MURI record.
US, Ukraine Hold Talks in Saudi Arabia after Drone Attack on Russia
6 hari lalu
Ukraine and the US opened talks on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, on how to end the three-year war between Moscow and Kyiv.
Saudi Crown Prince Meets Zelensky Ahead of US-Ukraine Talks
7 hari lalu
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who was visiting Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Indonesian Govt Predicts Eid to Fall on March 31, 2025
7 hari lalu
Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar predicted Eid al-Fitr to fall on March 31, 2025.
5 Famous and Beautiful Mosques in the World, Divine Spectacles You Must See
10 hari lalu
Explore 5 famous mosques in the world, such as Mecca's Masjid al-Haram, boasting breathtaking views. A journey of faith and beauty!
