Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Reviews Proposal for Additional Hajj Costs from Two Airlines

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamaf Irfan Yusuf, stated that the government will recalculate the budget needs related to the proposal for adjusting Hajj costs from Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines following the increase in aviation fuel prices due to the war situation.

“Yesterday, the proposal submitted by Garuda and Saudia (for aviation fuel) was still above 100 US cents per litre. But with the ceasefire, the price will drop, so we will adjust it again,” said Irfan Yusuf during the National Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Hajj at the Cipondoh Hajj Dormitory in Tangerang on Wednesday evening.

Previously, before the war broke out, the average flight cost per pilgrim was around Rp33.5 million. However, when the conflict erupted and caused oil prices to soar, the airlines proposed additional costs.

Garuda Indonesia, he said, proposed an additional cost of around Rp7.9 million per person, while Saudi Airlines submitted an increase of 480 US dollars per person.

He emphasised that the government will not immediately accept the price proposals from the two airlines. According to him, the evaluation process is still ongoing, considering various factors, including developments in global fuel prices.

Regarding the source of additional funding, Irfan mentioned that funding options could come from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) or other sources, such as from the management of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

“It could be from APBN or other sources, for example BPKH. But clearly, the President has stated that it should not be burdened on the pilgrims. That means the government will certainly find other alternatives outside of (the costs paid by) the pilgrims,” said Gus Irfan.