Hajj Costs Could Rise, President Requests They Not Be Passed on to Pilgrims

President Prabowo Subianto has requested that if the costs of organising the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage rise due to a global surge in aviation fuel prices, they should not be passed on to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. “The President hopes that whatever happens, if there is a cost increase, he requests that it not be burdened on our Hajj pilgrims,” said Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf during a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission VIII of the DPR RI in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Irfan stated that President Prabowo’s directive was conveyed in a limited meeting with government officials a few days ago. He explained that before the war broke out, the average flight cost per pilgrim was around Rp 33.5 million. However, when the conflict erupted and caused oil prices to soar, the airlines proposed additional costs. In a scenario without changes to flight routes, the average cost per person is estimated to increase to Rp 46.9 million, or a 39.85% rise. Meanwhile, if rerouting is implemented to avoid conflict airspace, costs could rise to Rp 50.8 million, or about a 51.48% increase. Garuda Indonesia has proposed an additional fee of around Rp 7.9 million per person, while Saudi Airlines has requested an increase of 480 US dollars per person.