Access Restricted: Pickups for Hajj Pilgrims at YIA Debarkation Require Visitor Passes

Families intending to pick up Hajj pilgrims at the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) Debarkation point will no longer have free access to the arrival area. This policy has been implemented because the entire debarkation process for pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia takes place within the airport environment, which is subject to strict security and limited access regulations.

As the area falls within the airport’s operational zone, unrestricted entry is prohibited; therefore, all individuals picking up pilgrims are required to possess official visitor identification or a visitor pass. “The process for guests or pilgrims’ families entering the airport debarkation area still requires prior registration to obtain a visitor pass at YIA Airport,” stated the Acting Head of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Office for the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Silvia Rosetti, on Monday (1/6/2026).

Silvia explained that this policy is being enforced alongside the commencement of operations at the YIA Hajj Debarkation centre, which will serve the return of 9,314 pilgrims and Hajj officials from Saudi Arabia through the end of June 2026. The first arrival of pilgrims is scheduled for Tuesday (2/6/2026). A total of 354 pilgrims and six officials belonging to YIA Group 1 from Kulon Progo are expected to arrive at YIA Airport at 05:35 WIB.

Unlike the departure phase, which utilised a hotel-based system, this return process is centralised entirely within the airport area without the use of hotel or Hajj dormitory facilities. “Since this does not involve hotels, the debarkation takes place directly at YIA. The area used for receiving pilgrims and the entire CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) process during debarkation is located on the 2nd-floor mezzanine, prepared by Angkasa Pura,” she added.