Old planes sidelined in haj mission

Old planes sidelined in haj mission

JAKARTA: In a bid to improve service and safety, the
government has banned planes made before 1984 from carrying haj
pilgrims to Saudi Arabia next year.

Garuda president director Indra Setiawan said on Thursday the
new standard was set after a request by the Ministry of Religious
Affairs. During haj season last year the government tolerated the
use of planes made in 1980.

For the next season, Garuda will transport half of some
200,000 Indonesian pilgrims.

Garuda has planned to lease up to 16 Boeing B747s, but will
not use its B747 SP, Boeing B767-300 or Airbus 330 for the haj
pilgrims. All the aircraft will be chartered for three months
between Jan. 2 and March 23, 2003, with the contract covering
crews, maintenance and insurance.

Indra said the tender for the haj mission opened late in July,
with the winners set to be announced in October at the latest. --
Antara