Prabowo Pushes Garuda-Saudia to Explore Hajj Joint Venture
President Prabowo Subianto wants the national carrier Garuda Indonesia to explore forming a joint venture with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s airline, Saudia Airlines. According to him, cooperation between the two countries could optimise Hajj flight operations while reducing the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage journey.
Prabowo highlighted the Hajj flight operations to the Holy Land, which he considers uneconomical. He explained that Garuda Indonesia aircraft carrying Hajj pilgrims often return to Indonesia empty. According to the Head of State, the same issue occurs when Saudia Airlines aircraft carry Indonesian Hajj pilgrims back to the homeland, then return to their origin country without passengers.
“Why not cooperate? Create a subsidiary company, 50 per cent Saudi Arabia, 50 per cent Indonesia. The aircraft flying to Saudi Arabia full, to Indonesia full. Prices can drop again, time can be shorter again,” said Prabowo during a government working meeting at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
Prabowo revealed that the instruction had been given to Garuda Indonesia’s President Director Glenny Kairupan and executives of the Danantara Investment Management Agency some time ago. “I have instructed to approach Saudi Air, so that Garuda and Saudi Air create a joint venture,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo then demanded progress on his order and urged all company ranks to move quickly to realise it. “Has it been worked on yet? I ordered it about two months ago. This must be done quickly, this government works quickly. Later, the President Director of Garuda will report to me,” said Prabowo.
On the same occasion, Prabowo also expressed his commitment to reducing Hajj costs. The General Chairman of the Gerindra Party stated that the 2026 Hajj cost would still decrease by around Rp 2 million, despite the rise in aircraft fuel or avtur prices due to the war in West Asia.
Prabowo stated that the government does not want to burden Indonesian Hajj pilgrims amid the surging global crude oil prices. “Even though avtur prices are rising, we dare to lower the Hajj cost for this year,” he said.
Prabowo’s statement refers to the determination of the 2026 Hajj Organisational Cost or BPIH at Rp 87.4 million per pilgrim. The Hajj cost decreased by Rp 2 million compared to the 2025 BPIH of Rp 89.4 million. The determination of this BPIH was agreed upon by the government and the DPR in a working meeting at the DPR Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.