MEDAN, RAKYAT NEWS — The Head of the Indonesian Airport Authority of Region II Medan, Sokhib Al Rokhman, has called on Qatar Airways to promptly resume its Umrah flights from Kualanamu International Airport to Doha, and onward to Madinah and Jeddah.

This request comes as the number of Umrah pilgrims begins to rise ahead of the Hajj season.

“With the increasing number of Umrah pilgrims, we request Qatar Airways to restart their services,” Sokhib stated during a press briefing in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, 13 August 2024

He noted that Qatar Airways, which has been recognized as one of the world’s best airlines, began its operations at Kualanamu International Airport on January 15, 2024.

The airline previously operated three weekly flights on the Doha-Kualanamu route using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with flights scheduled for Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, services were halted on June 1, 2024, as the airline conducted an evaluation period.

Despite the request, Sokhib acknowledged that the airport authority cannot compel the Qatar-based airline to resume Umrah flights. He explained that the initial aim of Qatar Airways’ operations was not focused on Umrah but rather on capturing the northern Sumatra market for connections to Europe.

Currently, passengers traveling from northern Sumatra to Europe use Qatar Airways’ services, transiting through Hamad International Airport in Doha. Meanwhile, PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi, which manages Kualanamu International Airport, reported that three airlines—Lion Air, Citilink, and Saudia Airlines—are offering Umrah flights to Saudi Arabia.

“Lion Air and Citilink have been operating since July, while Saudia Airlines is set to commence its services on August 31, 2024,” said Dedi Al Subur, Head of Corporate Secretary & Legal at Kualanamu International Airport.