Garuda gets half of haj fare

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)