Hajj Costs for 2026: Drop of Rp 2 Million Despite Rising Aviation Fuel Prices

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that there is potential for an increase in the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage due to the escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has caused aviation fuel prices to surge. In a meeting with the VIII Commission of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, he explained the government’s plans to address the potential cost increases for Hajj. “This year’s Hajj organisation is under pressure from increasingly complex global factors, thus requiring strengthened efficiency, coordination, and mitigation to maintain the sustainability of Hajj financing,” said the Gerindra Party politician. According to Irfan, the main factors behind the Hajj cost increase are the soaring aviation fuel prices and the weakening rupiah exchange rate. In scenarios with or without changes to flight routes, Hajj costs are predicted to rise nonetheless. If using the initial Hajj flight route, the Ministry of Hajj records the average cost per pilgrim increasing from Rp 33.5 million to Rp 46.9 million, or a 39.85 per cent rise. If the flight route changes, the estimated cost is even higher, from Rp 33.5 million to Rp 50.8 million per pilgrim, or a 51.48 per cent increase. This is because airlines must take alternative routes that add about four hours to the journey, with additional fuel consumption of up to 12,000 tonnes. These estimates come from calculations by Garuda Indonesia airline, which proposed an additional cost of Rp 7.9 million per pilgrim at an aviation fuel price of US$116 per litre, as stated in letter number Garuda/JAKARTA/DZ/20181-26. Meanwhile, Saudi Airlines proposed an additional US$480 per pilgrim at an aviation fuel price of US$1,374 per litre. Irfan conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto wants the burden of the cost increase not to be passed on to prospective pilgrims. “President Prabowo hopes that whatever happens, if there is an increase (in Hajj pilgrimage costs), he requests that it not be burdened on the Hajj pilgrims,” he said. He continued that the government is still calculating the real needs for the 2026 Hajj organisation costs following global price hikes. However, Irfan assured that the Prabowo administration is committed to finding solutions so that prospective pilgrims do not have to pay additional Hajj costs. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated that the additional costs for Hajj organisation will be taken from the state revenue and expenditure budget amounting to Rp 1.77 trillion. “Pilgrims do not need to bear the cost increase; it was decided by President Prabowo to be paid directly from the state budget,” said Dahnil, quoted from the X account @Dahnilanzar. President Prabowo Subianto claimed that the departure cost for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage borne by prospective pilgrims has decreased despite rising aviation fuel prices. The Head of State conveyed this during a briefing to his cabinet at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, 8 April 2026. “We ensure that the 2026 Hajj cost, we reduce the price by around Rp 2 million, even though aviation fuel prices are rising,” said the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, quoted from Antara. He stated that the government does not want to burden Indonesian Hajj pilgrims amid the surging global crude oil prices. Prabowo’s statement refers to the determination of the Hajj Organisation Cost or BPIH 2026 at Rp 87.4 million per pilgrim. This Hajj cost is a Rp 2 million reduction from the 2025 BPIH of Rp 89.4 million. The determination of this BPIH was agreed upon by the government and the DPR in a working meeting at the DPR Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.