Garuda gets half of haj fare

JAKARTA: More than half of the total haj pilgrimage fare goes to PT Garuda Indonesia to pay for airfare, an official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said yesterday.

Bambang Pranowo said the airfare represents the biggest chunk of the haj fare (52 percent), followed by accommodations in Saudi Arabia (44.6 percent), and operational costs. He was quoted by Antara as saying that the ministry released the figures in an effort to prove its transparent management practices.

The current haj fare is Rp 8,805,000 (US$3,150) per person. Indonesia will send about 200,000 pilgrims this coming season.

Bambang said the ministry was open to criticism and suggestions for improvement. (aan)