LION AIR PLANS TO FLY HAJ PILGRIMS TO HOLY LAND THIS YEAR

Makassar, Jan 12 (ANTARA) - Lion Air planned to fly Indonesian hajj pilgrims to the holy land this year.
"For the time being we have been contacting the government and discussed the plan," Lion Air's spokesman Hasyim Arsal Alhabsy said here on Monday.

However, he added, the new service would have to be adjusted to Lion Air's scheduled flights, which as of the end of June 2009 will cover the Jakarta-Jidda route.
For the time being, the airline company will fly Indonesians going on minor hajj (umrah) and other people visiting Saudi Arabia.
He also disclosed that Indonesian hajj pilgrims flying to the holy land by Lion Air would enjoy a discount in their fares by 10-30 percent, or Rp 5 million less per person.
The airline company flying over the route once a day will use Boeing 737-400s each having a capacity for 400 passengers.
Several Lion Air staff members, he said, are currently conducting a survey in Jidda, and planned to set up a branch office there.
"The survey team will also prepare the infrastructure facilities," he added.