Ministry of Transport: Pilgrim safety is priority amid Middle East conflict escalation

Padang Pariaman district — The Ministry of Transport has reiterated that the security and safety of Indonesian pilgrims undertaking umrah constitutes the primary priority amid escalating conflict in the Middle East region.

“The Ministry of Transport has emphasised that at present the most important factor is pilgrim safety concerning umrah departures,” said Dony Subardono, General Manager of Angkasa Pura II at Minangkabau International Airport’s branch office in Padang Pariaman district, on Friday.

This statement addressed a planned departure of pilgrims from the Minangkabau region to Saudi Arabia on 23 March 2026.

However, Angkasa Pura together with the Ministry of Transport, travel agencies and relevant authorities are still discussing whether the departure can proceed.

“The 23 March 2026 departure schedule is indeed listed, but we are still awaiting developments and the situation until 18 March 2026,” he stated.

Most recently, Minangkabau International Airport received arrivals of pilgrims from Padang city, Batam city, Riau Islands and Central Java province on 5 and 8 March 2026.

Meanwhile, one prospective pilgrim from Padang city, Fandi Yogari Saputra, confirmed that the airline has notified him of the cancellation of his departure schedule to the Holy Land following the Middle East conflict.

“The airline I am travelling with has informed us that all flights through late March 2026 have been cancelled, particularly flights transiting through Middle Eastern countries,” Fandi stated.

However, he noted that the travel agent has offered a solution: if pilgrims still wish to depart, they are advised to fly with an airline offering direct flights to Saudi Arabia without transit or stopover.