Padang and Palembang to be Official Haj Embarkation Points
Wednesday, 14 June, 2006 | 17:34 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government has officially determined that Minangkabau Airport, Padang, West Sumatra and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin airport, Palembang, South Sumatra are to be hajj embarkation points, starting this year.

Yesterday (13/6), Minister of Transportation Hatta Rajasa said the two airports have met the requirements of the Saudi Arabian government, especially departure capabilities for large airplanes with a capacity of 400 passengers or above.

The other requirement of the Saudi Arabian government regarding pilgrimage groups is that the fly on Boeing 747-200 or Boeing 747-300 aircraft, which require a 3,000 meter long runway.

With the appointment of these two airports, pilgrimage groups from Padang and Palembang, as also the surrounding areas, will save costs.

“They won’t need to go to Medan anymore,” said Hatta.

Anton Aprianto