Minister of Hajj highlights impact of Middle East unrest on aircraft fuel costs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf has highlighted the impact of unrest in the Middle East on the rising cost of aircraft fuel (avtur) for planes carrying hajj pilgrims who will perform the hajj pilgrimage. “Avtur has risen two, even three times over. That is the direct impact we are feeling right now,” said Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf during a press conference at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4). He stated that the government is currently seeking solutions and emphasised that the President wants the increase in avtur costs not to impose any additional burden on hajj pilgrims. “The President certainly emphasises that whatever happens, it should not impose any additional burden on our hajj pilgrims. That is the President’s hope and request,” he said. The President, he added, also stated that any decisions by the Indonesian government are based on considerations of the security and safety of Indonesian citizens who will perform the hajj pilgrimage. Meanwhile, regarding efforts to mitigate the potential impact of tensions in the Middle East on the hajj pilgrimage, the Minister said that the Ministry has established direct flights for regular hajj pilgrims. For special hajj pilgrims who are expected to take transit flights, Irfan said that the Ministry of Hajj has asked private parties to mitigate various possibilities by seeking flights that can go directly to Saudi Arabia. “We have asked them to mitigate the possibilities by finding flights that can go direct to Saudi,” he said. Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi, expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to coordinate and cooperate with Indonesia to help ensure the smooth implementation of the hajj pilgrimage for Indonesian pilgrims. “We at the Saudi Embassy are always making efforts to coordinate and cooperate, and also to assist with various problems that may be faced,” said Ambassador Faisal. “Of course, we will be ready to provide assistance for the hajj pilgrimage to proceed well and smoothly,” added Ambassador Faisal. He hopes that the 2026 hajj season will proceed well, so that Indonesian society can perform the hajj pilgrimage perfectly and return to the homeland safely. “From the deepest heart, may this year’s hajj season proceed well and successfully. Then, Indonesian society, the Indonesian hajj pilgrims, can perform the hajj pilgrimage perfectly and return to the homeland safely,” said Ambassador Faisal.