Jakarta, March 14, 2022 - Juanda Airport in Surabaya under the management of PT Angkasa Pura Airports resumed serving direct flights for Umrah pilgrims after 2 years of inactivity due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 366 Umrah pilgrims departed on the inaugural flight from Lion Air using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with flight number JT 1100 to Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport - Madinah, on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 11.47 WIB.
“Angkasa Pura Airports as the operator of Juanda Airport in Surabaya welcomes the reopening of direct flights from Lion Air airline with Surabaya-Medina route for Umrah pilgrims in East Java Province. This is also a form of trust from the Government of Saudi Arabia for the better handling of COVID-19 in the country,” President Director of Angkasa Pura Airports, Faik Fahmi said.
Angkasa Pura Airports and relevant stakeholders have made a series of preparations to ensure smooth operations for special Umrah flights from Juanda Airport in Surabaya. “To anticipate the density of passenger traffic, we have prepared Terminal 2 as a special departure area for Umrah pilgrims so that it does not mix with domestic flight operations at Terminal 1,” General Manager of Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Sisyani Jaffar added.
Sisyani explained that 366 prospective Umrah pilgrims had met the requirements, such as health document inspection by the Port Health Office (KKP) and having an International Certificate Vaccination (ICV) Meningitis and a COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.
“We have also taken proactive measures through an appeal to the Umrah Travel Organizer (PPIU) or travel agents to ensure that the pilgrims have fulfilled all the requirements according to regulations related to Overseas Travelers (PPLN), including ensuring that each pilgrim has the PeduliLindungi application for mutual comfort and order,” Sisyani said.
In addition to Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia planned to serve the inaugural direct flight for Umrah pilgrims at Juanda Airport with Surabaya-Medina route on Thursday, March 17, 2022.
“Angkasa Pura Airports will continue to ensure that all departure operational processes for Umrah pilgrims runs smoothly and implements the COVID-19 health protocols in accordance with applicable regulations in order to realize safe, comfortable, and healthy flights for all Umrah pilgrims,” Faik Fahmi concluded.
