Angkasa Pura temporarily suspends Umrah charter flights amid Middle East conflict
Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s Minangkabau International Airport (BIM) branch in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, has temporarily suspended charter aircraft operations for Umrah flights to Saudi Arabia due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“From 3 to 18 March we will not be operating the charter aircraft,” stated Dony Subardono, General Manager of Angkasa Pura II’s BIM branch, on Thursday in Padang Pariaman.
However, Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s BIM branch continues to facilitate the return and evacuation of Umrah pilgrims from West Sumatra currently in or still located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Most recently, the airport successfully repatriated pilgrims on 5 and 8 March 2025.
Following the 8 March arrivals, Angkasa Pura documented Umrah pilgrims originating from West Sumatra, Batam, Riau Islands Province, and Central Java. Upon arrival at BIM, these pilgrims continued their onward flights to their respective home regions.
Subardono confirmed that there is a planned departure of Umrah pilgrims scheduled for 23 March 2026 to the Holy Land. However, to ensure the trip proceeds, Angkasa Pura’s BIM branch will first coordinate with relevant authorities, particularly to verify flight safety requirements.
“That is the plan for now. We will assess developments and the situation from 18 March 2026 onwards,” he stated.
Subardono emphasised that the escalation of the Middle East conflict has had a direct impact on international aviation services, particularly flights for Umrah pilgrims from the Minangkabau region.
Separately, M. Rifki, Acting Head of the West Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, stressed that the state guarantees and protects Umrah pilgrims currently stranded or unable to return home following the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
The Indonesian government, he noted, maintains a Consulate General in Saudi Arabia with the responsibility of protecting every Umrah pilgrim should issues arise whilst abroad.