Minister Irfan Struggles with Rising Hajj Flight Costs

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf has admitted to being at a loss as aviation fuel, or avtur, prices have surged ahead of the 2026 Hajj or 1447 Hijriah pilgrimage. According to Irfan, the past ten days have been a critical period. The reason is that airlines Garuda Indonesia and Saudi Airlines, which serve Hajj flights, suddenly submitted requests for additional fees. Irfan stated that initially only Garuda was requesting a fare increase. “At that time, we also asked Saudi, ‘Garuda is asking for an addition, what about Saudi?’ No, Alhamdulillah, no, it was conveyed at that time. It turned out that suddenly Saudi also requested an addition because avtur prices had risen,” said Irfan at the Presidential Staff Office, in the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. Irfan explained that the flight cost increase to accommodate all Hajj pilgrims departing in 2026 with Garuda or Saudi Airlines amounts to Rp 1.77 trillion. Therefore, this Gerindra Party politician immediately reported to President Prabowo Subianto. “Yes, because we were also a bit at a loss with this, so we reported to the President. The President said ‘Whatever happens, this addition should not be burdened on the pilgrims’,” said Irfan, quoting Prabowo’s words. Regarding the funding source to cover the Hajj flight cost shortfall, Irfan said he does not yet know it. He only assured that the budget is already available. Irfan said the government is seeking a legal basis so that the funds can be disbursed. “The budget is clearly there. We just need to find the legal basis to allocate that budget,” he said. Yesterday, Tuesday, 14 April 2026, Irfan explained the issue of the Hajj flight cost increase to the House of Representatives. He explained that the cost increase was triggered by the spike in avtur prices and exchange rate fluctuations that put significant pressure on the Hajj flight financing structure. Irfan conveyed that Garuda Indonesia proposed a cost increase of up to Rp 978 billion, while Saudi Airlines set fees at Rp 802.8 billion. “In aggregate, the total cost has jumped from Rp 6.69 trillion to Rp 8.46 trillion, or an increase of Rp 1.77 trillion,” said Irfan during a working meeting with Commission VIII of the DPR at the Parliament Building in Jakarta, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.