Gus Irfan: Soaring Avtur Prices, Airlines Demand Additional Rp8 Million per Pilgrim

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The surge in avtur prices has led airlines to request additional funds to cover the departure costs for Hajj pilgrims this year. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf Hasyim (Gus Irfan) recounted that Garuda Indonesia requested an additional budget of around Rp7 million per pilgrim, while Saudia Airlines asked for US$485 per pilgrim (Rp8.31 million/US$17,142). Gus Irfan explained that flight costs have become a crucial issue at present. For context, avtur prices have risen from Rp13,656 per litre to Rp23,551 per litre. “Ten days ago was a crucial ten days for us because Garuda Indonesia requested a price change for Hajj pilgrims at that time, and we also asked Saudia because avtur prices had risen,” said Gus Irfan at the Bina Graha Building, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (15/4/2026). He explained that the additional costs required for Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines amounted to Rp1.77 trillion. He then reported this to President Prabowo Subianto. “(The President) said this addition should not be burdened on the pilgrims. This is the president’s commitment to Hajj pilgrims,” said Gus Irfan. As is known, Prabowo has decided to reduce Hajj costs by Rp2 million in 2026. Additionally, the government has allocated Rp1.77 trillion in funds as additional subsidies or compensation for Hajj costs amid the rise in avtur prices. He detailed that Garuda Indonesia requested an additional budget of Rp7 million per pilgrim, while Saudia requested US$485 per pilgrim. However, according to Gus Irfan, his side will still conduct negotiations even though the government has allocated Rp1.77 trillion to compensate for avtur prices. Furthermore, according to him, it is possible that the costs to be subsidised by the government could be lower than currently calculated. “Now avtur prices have fallen; they submitted this before the ceasefire, when oil prices were at their peak,” he stated.