On Sunday (1/11/2020), JAS Airport Services (JAS) handled the Umrah trial which is expected to resume normal in early 2021. This trial was carried out due to implementation of procedures and additional steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19 during the Umrah pilgrimage.
In this Umrah trial, JAS provided check-in and baggage services to 260 passengers leaving for Jeddah today at 12.58pm with Saudia Airlines (SV). The trial process was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi.
As for the check-in process, JAS deployed 13 staff at Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Intl Airport, open 8 check-in counters, and maximize the role of Queue Comber (QC) and AVSEC to remind passengers about the masks and the importance of physical distancing. JAS was also assisted by Angkasa Pura II who deployed Terminal Inspection Services (TIS) team to jointly curb passengers regarding the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocol.
Basically, the COVID-19 health protocol has been widely socialized by the government and various parties to the public, but the awareness of passengers to keep their distance are still need to be improve to avoid unnecessary crowd near the check-in counters area.
In the future, if Umrah returns to normal, JAS urges passengers to report at least 3,5 hours before departure considering the check-in process is taking a little longer due to additional travel document checking. Documents that will be checked are passport, visa, PCR test with negative results where the test is carried out 72 hours before departure, as well as return tickets.
As for smoother operation, JAS will make intensive arrangements such as increasing the number of check-in counters if necessary, scheduling check-in groups to obtain boarding passes earlier, as well as baggage arrangements to avoid accumulation.
As additional information, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, JAS was accustomed to handling 3-4 Umrah flights per day with an average of 350 passengers on each SV flight.