Iran-US Conflict: Around 2,000 Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims Temporarily Stranded Unable to Return Home

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar revealed that approximately 2,000 Indonesian umrah pilgrims experienced return travel difficulties from Saudi Arabia due to flight disruptions, particularly on routes requiring transit connections.

The flight route disruptions were caused by the broader Middle Eastern instability stemming from the conflict between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance that erupted on 28 February.

“Those who were stranded, I don’t have precise data yet as there hasn’t been an update, but they’ve all returned now since they were stranded, around 2,000 or so who departed,” Dahnil said at the Presidential Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, 10 March.

According to Dahnil, pilgrims experiencing delayed returns were generally those with indirect flights, who were affected by the Middle East conflict.

He stated that this situation impacted their travel schedules when disruptions occurred on connecting flights.

“Those who were stranded or unable to return typically had connecting flights,” said Dahnil.

He explained that beyond flight route factors, elevated ticket prices also presented an obstacle for some pilgrims to promptly return home.

As a result, numerous pilgrims were forced to wait temporarily abroad whilst searching for more affordable tickets.

“Then the ticket prices were expensive, so many of them were forced to remain temporarily there to find affordable tickets,” he said.

Nevertheless, Dahnil noted that some of the pilgrims who were temporarily detained have now successfully returned to Indonesia.

The government is also continuing to coordinate with relevant ministries and airlines to anticipate similar disruptions for future pilgrim journeys.