DPR Proposes Haj Flight 2026 Via Africa if War in the Middle East Heats Up

Jakarta, VIVA – Chair of Commission VIII of the DPR, Marwan Dasopang, has proposed that the government prepare a scenario for Haj flight routes in 2026 via Africa, in light of the Middle East conflicts growing more heated. He believes the route should be considered to avoid conflict areas.

“It is not viable for pilgrims to wait too long to depart. There must be alternatives; for example, could the flight be diverted via Africa?” he said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday, 6 March 2026.

“So fly from Jeddah to Nairobi, then toward the Africa direction, essentially across open sea rather than along the coasts of islands,” he added.

Moreover, Marwan urged the government to coordinate with other stakeholders to prepare the flight route, including the Haj service providers.

“Our government will be encouraged to coordinate with all parties, including those earlier; if there is a loss of services that have already been paid for—flights, hotels, meals, and Masyair in Armuzna—then compensation will be needed,” he said.

He also warned of the impact if pilgrims are unable to depart in 2026. One aspect concerns the funds held by the pilgrims.

“Therefore it would be very burdensome financially for Haj to depart next year; of course, the pilgrims who are currently journeying have already spent their money. The government must succeed in convincing various parties,” he said.

Additionally, changing the flight route could increase Haj costs, as flight durations would be longer than on the normal route.

“I think there will be increases, because the flight duration will be longer. If previously it was 8 to 10 hours, or Aceh 6 hours, it will surely be longer because the route is circuitous,” he explained.

Nevertheless, the Haj flight route via Africa cannot pass directly over certain areas such as Yemen, as these regions have been avoided due to unstable security.

“We would then have to fly further to the right when returning from Saudi, or if we depart, the option would be more to the left to cross open seas,” he said.