Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Oversees Return of Stranded Umrah Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia continues to intensively monitor the return process of several Indonesian umrah pilgrims experiencing flight rescheduling difficulties in Saudi Arabia. Through the Hajj Affairs Office (KUH) in Jeddah, the government is acting as a communication facilitator between pilgrims, airlines, and travel organisers to ensure smooth repatriation.
Based on field monitoring reports as of 8 March 2026, 17 pilgrims from PT BMA currently remain in Mecca due to flight schedule changes. These pilgrims are scheduled to return to Indonesia in two waves, on 10 and 14 March 2026.
M. Ilham Effendy, Technical Staff for Hajj Affairs in Jeddah, emphasised that the field team is working non-stop to bridge communication obstacles.
“The field team continues to coordinate with airlines, travel organisers, and related parties to help ensure the pilgrims’ return process can proceed according to available flight schedules,” Ilham stated on Monday (9 March).
Additionally, 67 pilgrims from PT RLW also face return difficulties. Flight rescheduling is being handled by related parties, with some pilgrims scheduled to return to Indonesia on 9 March 2026 using Ethiopian Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.
The field team is also facilitating communication for five independent umrah pilgrims affected by the cancellation of the Medina–Mumbai flight route. The airline is currently processing ticket refunds and scheduling replacement flights, with departure scheduled using Saudia Airlines on 15 March 2026.
During the same monitoring period, the Indonesian General Consulate (KJRI) in Jeddah also monitored the return of 2,062 Indonesian umrah pilgrims, bringing the total pilgrim returns to 19,509 people between 28 February and 8 March 2026. On 8 March, 434 new pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia from Indonesia.
Ilham emphasised that the team will continue monitoring and coordinating with related parties to ensure the pilgrims’ travel process runs smoothly.
“We will continue coordination and monitoring with related parties to ensure the pilgrims’ return process runs smoothly in accordance with applicable regulations,” he stated.