Extra flights provided for haj pilgrimage<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Officials in charge of haj operation arranged
\nyesterday for six extra flights for those pilgrims whose
\ndepartures were delayed because of document problems.<\/p>\n
The first extra flight was made from Jakarta's Halim
\nPerdanakusuma Airport. It carried 480 pilgrims, with 520 more
\npilgrims still waiting to be flown out on other extra flights.<\/p>\n
Juanda Airport in Surabaya is also expected to see the
\ndeparture of 1,090 delayed pilgrims soon, while 1,000 pilgrims
\nwill be sent from Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East
\nKalimantan, and Hasanuddin Airport in Ujungpandang, South
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
Polonia Airport in Medan has so far had the smoothest haj
\noperation; it does not have to arrange any extra flights because
\nit does not have any late pilgrims.<\/p>\n
Director of Legal and Public Relation of the Religious Affairs
\nMinistry H.M. Shodiq Wiryowijoyo said the extra flights are
\nexpected to suffice to accommodate the 3,045 late pilgrims.<\/p>\n
\"We're optimistic there will be no more empty seats or flight
\ncancellations, because all pilgrims have now received their
\nvisas,\" Shodiq told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Problems with visas have thrown off many flight schedules.
\nSome of those who were supposed to leave early failed to go,
\nwhile pilgrims on later flights -- holding valid visas -- were
\nmade to go on short notice. Some flights were just canceled.<\/p>\n
Last year, similar problems forced the government to provide
\n20 extra flights for the 6,000 pilgrims whose departures were
\ndelayed.<\/p>\n
The six extra flights were scheduled to leave the same day
\nwith the scheduled 17 flights, so that they don't miss the
\ndeadline of April 26 when King Abdul Aziz airport in Jeddah is to
\nbe closed temporarily.<\/p>\n
Shodiq said Jakarta and Surabaya have been given priority, as
\nthese two departure points have the most empty seats on their haj
\nflights.<\/p>\n
Flying out 195,000 Indonesians this year, the haj started on
\nMarch 23 and will last until April 26. The pilgrim's return home
\nwill run from May 2 to May 30.<\/p>\n
The country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has arranged 23
\njets and 453 flights to serve the pilgrims. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/extra-flights-provided-for-haj-pilgrimage-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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