Minister Reports 50,374 Umrah Pilgrims Remain in Saudi Arabia, 14,115 Facing Return Delays

Jakarta, Kompas.com — The Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that 50,374 hajj pilgrims remain in Saudi Arabia, with 14,115 of them facing delayed returns.

Irfan said the data was current as of 11 March 2026.

“There are still 50,374 umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as of 11 March, with approximately 14,115 possibly stranded or facing delays, involving 1,239 hajj travel services operators (PPIU). We have already summoned all related PPIU,” Irfan said during a Commission VIII hearing in the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

Irfan added that several countries in the region have closed their airspace, particularly on flight routes that have traditionally served as major international flight paths to the Gulf region.

With these airspace closures, he stated, international flights have been disrupted.

“The direct impact has been disruptions to the departure and return processes for umrah pilgrims, particularly for those using connecting flights,” he said.