Hajj Minister: Rp 1.77 Trillion Fare Increase Not Yet Final

Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the increase in Hajj flight costs amounting to Rp 1.77 trillion is not yet final. According to Irfan, there is still room for negotiation to reduce that Hajj fare hike.

Irfan said the Rp 1.77 trillion figure is to accommodate all Hajj pilgrims scheduled to depart this year. He noted that the surge in Hajj costs was triggered by the rise in avtur, or aircraft fuel, prices, which had reached a high point.

Irfan detailed that Garuda Indonesia airline is requesting an additional cost of around Rp 7 million per pilgrim, while Saudia Airlines is asking for US$485 per pilgrim. “Of course, we cannot immediately comply,” Irfan said at the Bina Graha Building in the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

Irfan assured that the government will continue to negotiate with airlines from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to secure the best possible figure. “We will discuss this again, we will talk about it again, this is how much the government actually needs to cover,” he stated.

He believes the flight costs that the government needs to subsidise could be even lower. This is because avtur prices have shown a downward trend in recent times. “Avtur prices are tending to drop. They submitted this before the ceasefire, when oil prices were at their peak,” Irfan said.

On the other hand, the government is seeking a legal basis for using funds to cover the Hajj cost increase for 1447 Hijriah. “The budget is clearly there. We just need to find the legal basis to disburse that budget,” Irfan said.

The government also ensured that the flight fare increase will not be passed on to Hajj pilgrims. According to Irfan, the Ministry of Hajj and Commission VIII of the House of Representatives have held lengthy discussions on funding sources to pay for the additional Hajj costs. “Clearly, the government assures that we will cover the shortfall, the additional budget request,” he said.