JEDDAH: IRFAN MOHAMMED

Indonesia has begun transporting illegals on empty, Haj-chartered flights returning to Indonesia.

The Indonesian government has formally decided to use empty returning Haj flights to transport for free passengers who obtained exit clearance from local authorities under the legalization scheme, which ends on Nov. 3.

A Garuda flight with 363 passengers left on Wednesday night. According to sources, there were 20 infants on the flight.
Most of the passengers were women who came to work as domestic helps but who escaped from their sponsors.

Garuda had previously ferried 450 illegals on aircraft designated for Haj pilgrims.

Indonesian officials said they are planning to use nine flights with a 3,413-passenger capacity, but have so far only operated two flights carrying less than 1,000 passengers. Officials attributed delays to their failure to obtain immigration clearance in time.

Source: ARABNEWS