Indonesia, Saudi Arabia to Explore Deeper Cooperation in Hajj Aviation
- Istimewa.
Jakarta – Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in the transportation of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
In a bilateral meeting, Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah to discuss transportation cooperation for Hajj and Umrah.
"I express gratitude for the mutually supportive cooperation between our two countries, especially in supporting Hajj flights," Minister Sumadi said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (April 30).
Menteri Perhubungan Budi Karya Sumadi di Tangerang
- VoxPop.co.id/Sherly (Tangerang)
During the meeting, the Minister hoped that the signing of the new route schedule would enhance the network of Indonesian and Saudi airlines and facilitate better relations between the two countries.
Sumadi conveyed that previously the Ministry of Transportation and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had signed an MoU governing air transport rights in 2017.
Through diplomatic note exchanges, the Ministry of Transportation proposed amendments regarding Air Safety, Aviation Security, and Authorizations and Designations, including proposals for new routes for commercial flights between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that in this year's amendment, flights from all international airports in Saudi Arabia could land at airports in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Denpasar.
Conversely, flights from all international airports in Indonesia could land in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah, and Taif.
Additionally, Minister Sumadi also requested support for Garuda Indonesia to increase slot times during the Hajj season and to move the terminal from the Hajj Terminal to Terminal 1 at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
"We believe that if this is done, this year's Hajj flights will be smoother," he said.
Moreover, the Minister hopes that Indonesia's cooperation with Saudi Arabia will not be limited to the aviation sector alone.
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