Indonesia, S. Arabia agree on haj transportation

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs signed an agreement on Tuesday with Garuda Indonesia and Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly over 175,000 haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia next year.

The agreement was signed here by the ministry's director general for haj affairs, Mubarok, Garuda Indonesia's Bachrul Hakim and Saudi Arabian Airlines' Khaled A. Ben-bakr. Also present during the signing was Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan.

According to the agreement, Garuda will transport 111,607 pilgrims and Saudi Arabian Airlines will transport 63,861 at a price of US$1,200 per person.

"All airplanes used for the haj must have been built after 1980," Mubarok said.

Garuda will use Boeing 747s, which can hold up to 455 passengers, to transport pilgrims embarking in Medan and Jakarta. Those flying out of Surakarta and Balikpapan will be served with MD-11s, while pilgrims leaving from Makassar and Aceh will be transported aboard Boeing 767s.

Saudi Arabian Airlines will serve pilgrims flying out of Surabaya and Jakarta with Boeing 747s.

Tolchah said transportation accounted for nearly 44 percent of the pilgrimage's total expense, so it was understandable that people scrutinized their travel arrangements.

He said it was important to ensure pilgrims were provided all the necessary services.

Tolchah also hinted that despite being the national air carrier, Garuda Indonesia may not have a monopoly in transporting pilgrims as it did in the past.

"Starting next year haj flights will be tendered. Whoever gives the best service and the cheapest price will be the one we pick," he said. (mds)