Extra flights provided for haj pilgrimage

Extra flights provided for haj pilgrimage

JAKARTA (JP): Officials in charge of haj operation arranged
yesterday for six extra flights for those pilgrims whose
departures were delayed because of document problems.

The first extra flight was made from Jakarta's Halim
Perdanakusuma Airport. It carried 480 pilgrims, with 520 more
pilgrims still waiting to be flown out on other extra flights.

Juanda Airport in Surabaya is also expected to see the
departure of 1,090 delayed pilgrims soon, while 1,000 pilgrims
will be sent from Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East
Kalimantan, and Hasanuddin Airport in Ujungpandang, South
Sulawesi.

Polonia Airport in Medan has so far had the smoothest haj
operation; it does not have to arrange any extra flights because
it does not have any late pilgrims.

Director of Legal and Public Relation of the Religious Affairs
Ministry H.M. Shodiq Wiryowijoyo said the extra flights are
expected to suffice to accommodate the 3,045 late pilgrims.

"We're optimistic there will be no more empty seats or flight
cancellations, because all pilgrims have now received their
visas," Shodiq told The Jakarta Post.

Problems with visas have thrown off many flight schedules.
Some of those who were supposed to leave early failed to go,
while pilgrims on later flights -- holding valid visas -- were
made to go on short notice. Some flights were just canceled.

Last year, similar problems forced the government to provide
20 extra flights for the 6,000 pilgrims whose departures were
delayed.

The six extra flights were scheduled to leave the same day
with the scheduled 17 flights, so that they don't miss the
deadline of April 26 when King Abdul Aziz airport in Jeddah is to
be closed temporarily.

Shodiq said Jakarta and Surabaya have been given priority, as
these two departure points have the most empty seats on their haj
flights.

Flying out 195,000 Indonesians this year, the haj started on
March 23 and will last until April 26. The pilgrim's return home
will run from May 2 to May 30.

The country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has arranged 23
jets and 453 flights to serve the pilgrims. (01)