First Hajj Flight Group Departs on 22 April 2026
The government is finalising preparations for the 1447 Hijriah Hajj pilgrimage, or 2026. Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, stated that the Hajj rituals will begin with prospective pilgrims entering Hajj dormitories on 21 April 2026. The following day, the first flight group (kloter) of Hajj pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia.
“The departure of the first wave begins on 22 April 2026 to Medina and continues to Mecca. Meanwhile, the second wave departs starting 7 May 2026 directly to Jeddah and proceeds to Mecca,” said Irfan on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
He stated that the departure of all prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is targeted to be completed by 21 May 2026. The total number of prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims this year is 221,000 people, consisting of 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims.
The peak of this year’s Hajj is estimated to take place on 26 May 2026 during the standing at Arafah. After that, pilgrims will undergo a series of overnight stays in Muzdalifah and Mina, as well as throwing the jumrah.
Next is the repatriation phase of the first kloter of Hajj pilgrims to the homeland, scheduled for 1 June 2026. The repatriation of Hajj pilgrims will take place gradually until 1 July 2026.
Regarding accommodation, Irfan said the government is preparing several placement areas for Hajj pilgrims in Mecca such as Syisyah, Raudhah, Jarwal, Misfalah, and Aziziyah Janubiyah. Meanwhile, in Medina, accommodation is centred in the Markaziyah area near the Prophet’s Mosque.
“The number of pilgrims in each sector ranges from 18,000 to 21,000 people to maintain service balance,” said Irfan.
He continued that for catering services, the government is preparing 51 kitchens in Mecca and 23 in Medina. The government has also adjusted the distribution after one provider withdrew, redirecting its capacity to three catering companies. The distribution scheme is prepared considering kitchen capacity, hotel distance, and number of pilgrims to ensure timeliness and food quality.
Irfan also conveyed that readiness for intercity Hajj pilgrim bus tickets in Saudi Arabia has reached 100 percent. Meanwhile, facility readiness is around 60 percent and officer placement around 70 percent. The preparation of salawat buses, routes, and stops has been fully completed, including the provision of 40 special disability buses.
The government also emphasises the prohibition of giving tips to drivers to maintain Hajj operational service standards.
In addition, he said, the pilgrim service document aspect is nearing the final stage. As of 1 April 2026, out of a total of 203,320 visas, 203,276 have been printed. The remainder is still in process, consisting of 38 pilgrims under processing status, two pilgrims waiting for MLC check, and four pilgrims with new status.