Hajj Flight Costs Rise, Menhaj: President Requests No Burden on Pilgrims
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf (Gus Irfan) stated that Hajj flight costs are rising due to the increase in aviation fuel (avtur) prices. He mentioned that the flight costs could rise even higher if there are changes to travel routes due to conflicts in the Middle East.
This was conveyed by Irfan during a Working Meeting with Commission VIII of the DPR RI at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Irfan said that the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate is also one of the triggering factors for the rise in Hajj flight costs.
“Of course, we all understand the current situation in the Middle East. In determining the BPIH for 2026, the average Hajj flight cost per pilgrim is around Rp 33.5 million. However, the rise in global avtur prices, along with the weakening exchange rate, has significantly increased those costs,” said Irfan during the meeting.
He mentioned that Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines have written to the Ministry of Hajj regarding additional travel costs. He stated that this is happening because global avtur prices are rising.
“For this reason, Garuda Indonesia’s alternative route causes an additional travel time of about 4 hours and an additional avtur consumption of around 12,000 tons. The airline Garuda, through letter number Garuda/Jakarta DZ/20181-2026, proposes an additional Rp 7.9 million per pilgrim at an avtur price of USD 116 per litre,” said Gus Irfan.
“Meanwhile, Saudi Airlines, through letter number 11732247/11501-April 2026, proposes an additional USD 480 per pilgrim (Rp 8.1 million),” he added.
He stated that for the scenario of route changes, the additional costs would be even higher. Irfan said that the increase in flight ticket prices for Hajj travel route changes could reach 51.48%.
“In the scenario without route changes, the average cost per pilgrim rises to around Rp 46.9 million, or an increase of 39.85%. Meanwhile, in the scenario with route changes, the costs rise even higher to around Rp 50.8 million, or an increase of up to 51.48%,” he said.
He mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the additional Hajj costs must not be borne by the pilgrims. He described this as the government’s commitment to prospective pilgrims.
“A few days ago, the essence was that President Prabowo hopes that whatever happens, any increases, if there are increases, he requests that they not be burdened on our Hajj pilgrims,” said Gus Irfan.
“That is a commitment from President Prabowo, which has been instructed to us along with the team to follow up and calculate exactly how much funding is actually needed,” he added.