Darwati A. Gani Pushes for Accelerated Direct Umrah Flights and Reduced Aviation Fuel Prices in Aceh

22 June 2026 oleh admin

dpd.go.id Banda Aceh, – Member of The House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) from Aceh, Darwati A. Gani, had meeting with the General Manager of Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, Setiyo Pramono, under the management of InJourney Airports, at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport on Monday (22/6). The meeting discussed accelerating direct Umrah flights from Aceh and efforts to reduce high airfares by reducing the disparity in aviation fuel prices.

During the meeting, Darwati highlighted Aceh's significant potential for Umrah pilgrims, reaching tens of thousands each year. However, currently, most pilgrims still have to use transit flights through other regions or overseas, resulting in high travel costs and lengthy travel times.

To that end, Darwati is pushing for the opening of the Banda Aceh–Jeddah (BTJ–JED) route through a Technical Stop with Traffic Rights scheme for Saudi Arabian-flagged airlines. This scheme allows aircraft making technical landings at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport to also carry passengers from Aceh to Jeddah.

According to him, the scheme is a realistic solution to meet the needs of the Acehnese people for faster, more efficient, and more affordable Umrah flight services, while reducing dependence on transit and charter flights, which have been relatively expensive.

"We hope the Ministry of Transportation can provide support for the Technical Stop with Traffic Rights scheme so that pilgrims from Aceh have easier, faster, and more efficient access to Saudi Arabia," said Darwati A. Gani.

In addition to connectivity issues, Darwati also highlighted the high price of aviation fuel (avtur) at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, which remains among the top three in Sumatra. This situation is believed to directly impact airline operating costs, which ultimately impacts airfares for the people of Aceh.

Therefore, she is pushing for the elimination of aviation fuel price disparities between airports to create more competitive and equitable fares. He believes this policy will allow airlines to open more routes to Aceh and significantly lower ticket prices.

"Eliminating the disparity in aviation fuel prices is not only crucial for supporting direct Umrah flights but also for improving Aceh's overall connectivity. If airlines' operational costs are more efficient, the public will receive more affordable ticket prices for flights to and from Aceh," she stressed.

Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport General Manager, Setiyo Pramono, welcomed the various inputs submitted and emphasized the airport's commitment to continuously improving services and supporting the strengthening of Aceh's air connectivity as one of the international flight gateways in the western region of Indonesia under the management of InJourney Airports.

Darwati affirmed her commitment to continue monitoring the aspirations of the Acehnese people regarding easier access to Umrah pilgrimages, improved air connectivity, and more competitive aviation fuel pricing policies to encourage regional economic growth, tourism, and investment in Aceh.