Kertajati Airport is moving closer to set its’ first Umroh Flight operation after the outbreak
Hikmat Mohamad
Aeronautical & Cargo Bussiness Manager di PT Bandarudara Internasional Jawa Barat
Thursday fourth of July 2022, PT BIJB (Perseroda), the regional owned enterprise of West Java that is assigned to manage Kertajati Airport, hosting Umroh Flight Preparation Forum (Umroh Gathering) in Horison Ultima Hotel Kertajati. The flight is set to operate in mid September 2022. The forum was attended by some local Umroh travel agents, national top rank officials in transportation ministry and so religious affairs ministry. Among those officials were Ministry of Transportation Expert Staff, Religious Affairs Ministry Head of West Java, Director of National Air Transport, Head of Regional Airport Authority of Soekarno - Hatta Airport, and Malaysia Airlines Berhad Country Manager for Indonesia.
Things that rarely published in media is the amount of Umroh pilgrims in West Java is the biggest in Indonesia. Many believe that the pilgrims come from the area surround Soekarno - Hatta Airport, but the fact is that West Java, particularly the catchment area of Kertajati Airport is a giant contributor of Umroh pilgrims in Soekarno - Hatta Airport. From 126.000 West Java Umroh pilgrims in total, as many as 30.000 more pilgrims from Ciayumajakuning, stands for Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, Kuningan, and other cities next to them, flying to two holiest cities of Muslim from Soekarno - Hatta Airport in one single season. We see that number as a fine opportunity to exploit and will create that as the momentum to bounce back from deep fall.
In preparation for our first Umroh flight after the dormant, West Java Governor has been requesting to the authorities in order to enact Kertajati Airport as the latest entry point airport on the list of Indonesia international gateway in post pandemic era. Moreover, considering the number of pilgrims in the area, many Airlines believe that Umroh flight will soon occur in Kertajati Airport for at least twice in a week. September is our realistic target to set the very first Umroh flight after the outbreak.