TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Umrah Hajj travel agent association (Perpuhi) officially reported national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia to the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) for alleged monopoly.

Perpuhi chairman Her Suprabu said that umrah travel agents were no longer able to purchase tickets directly at Garuda Indonesia’s branches.

“We could only purchase them at the three major ticket agencies in Jakarta,” said Her Suprabu in Solo, today.

Read: Garuda Indonesia to Comply with Government's Order on Airfare

The policy, which was introduced on March 1, did not only make it difficult for umrah service providers to obtain any tickets, but also took a considerable amount of time just to obtain confirmation on the orders at the three major travel agents.

Out of the initial Rp13.6 million price tag for a flight from Solo-Jeddah or Solo-Madinah, the latest policy caused the prices of the same route to rise to Rp15.6 million. “It is 15 percent pricier,” he said.

He said that Garuda Indonesia's appointing three major travel agents in Jakarta had triggered an unhealthy business competition among umrah travel agents, especially the smaller ones. He said he had sent a letter to Garuda Indonesia on the matter on March 28 but yet to receive any response.

AHMAD RAFIQ