Hajj Pilgrims for 2026 Assured No Additional Costs Despite Rising Flight Expenses

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2026 are assured they will not be burdened with additional fares despite a sharp surge in flight costs due to rising avtur prices and the global situation. President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the government will maintain the Hajj cost reduction of Rp 2 million compared to the previous year. This policy remains in place, even with the spike in aircraft fuel prices from Rp 13,656 per litre to Rp 23,551 per litre. “What we have decided, which I can announce now, is that for the implementation of Hajj in 2026, unless the Saudi Arabian government decides otherwise, if we proceed, we assure that the Hajj costs for 2026 will be reduced by around Rp 2 million,” Prabowo stated during a briefing at the Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026). “Even though avtur prices are rising, we dare to lower the Hajj prices for this year. This is the government’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable people,” he added. The Minister for Hajj and Umrah, M. Irfan Yusuf, previously revealed that Hajj flight costs for 2026 could rise significantly, with or without route changes. “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 global avtur price increase, surge in war risk, and currency depreciation have significantly raised these costs,” Irfan said during a working meeting with Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives on Wednesday. Meanwhile, if routes are diverted to avoid conflict areas, costs could increase to Rp 50.8 million per pilgrim, a 51.48% rise. “Garuda Airlines, through letter number Garuda/JAKARTA/DZ/20181-26, proposes an additional Rp 7.9 million per pilgrim at avtur prices of 116 US cents per litre,” Irfan stated. He added that Saudi Airlines has also requested a cost increase of 480 US dollars per pilgrim at avtur prices of 137.4 US cents per litre. According to Irfan, potential route changes will also impact travel duration and fuel consumption. “If airlines must take alternative routes, flight time will increase by about four hours with additional avtur consumption of up to 12,000 tonnes,” he said.