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65 Indonesian haj pilgrims affected so far by Qatar crisis, ministry says
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Diplomatic crisis: A picture taken on June 5 shows people walking past the Qatar Airways branch in the Saudi capital Riyadh, after it suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia following a severing of relations between major gulf states and gas-rich Qatar. Arab nations including Saudi Arabia and Egypt cut ties with Qatar accusing it of supporting extremism, in the biggest diplomatic crisis to hit the region in years.
(AFP/Fayez Nureldine)
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t least 65 Indonesian haj pilgrims have been transferred from Qatar Airways to other airlines following severed ties between some Arab countries and Qatar resulting in the closure of flights from and to Qatar, an official has said on Tuesday.
Transportation Ministry’s air transport director Maria Kristi Endah Murni said 20 pilgrims were shifted to Saudi Airlines on Monday evening and 45 others reassigned to Garuda Indonesia on Tuesday morning.
“We prioritize handling pilgrims traveling via Doha [Qatar]. So far, things have been under control,” Kristi was quoted by Antara.
(Read also: Saudi and allies cut Qatar ties in diplomatic crisis)
Kristi said the ministry data shows at least 200 pilgrims have recently obtained visas to fly to Arab Saudi via Doha.
“We are still collecting passenger data day by day. Qatar [Airways] has offered two options to passengers, the passengers can get a full refund or be transferred to other airlines,” Kristi said, adding that the ministry has deployed officers to anticipate stranded pilgrims.
She added that the ministry would also monitor connecting flights from Qatar to other countries since four countries, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates, have banned any flights from Qatar.
Qatar Airways said on its official website it had suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia. (dmr)
