Riyadh Airport Attacked, Umrah Pilgrims Question Their Safety

INDRAMAYU — An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has affected the state of mind of prospective Umrah pilgrims. Flight safety and security conditions in the Holy Land have become their main concerns.

Ismail, head of the Indramayu branch of PT Alkanz Tour and Travel, said most pilgrims had been asking about the safety of their flights. The company was trying to reassure them and provide clear information. “Yes, most pilgrims are asking about that,” Ismail told Republika on Thursday (15 October 2026).

Ismail said the company was informing prospective pilgrims that their flights do not land at Riyadh Airport. Instead, they fly directly to Jeddah or Madinah. “We never go to Riyadh; we fly straight to Jeddah or Madinah,” he said.

He added that the company had no Umrah departures scheduled in the near future. The next flights are planned for the end of the year, followed by departures early next year, for Ramadan packages and in mid-April. “So for now, things remain under control and safe,” Ismail said.

Ismail said the company also kept in regular contact with its team in the Holy Land, which would continue monitoring conditions and assisting pilgrims.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has so far issued no decision to advise against or prohibit Umrah travel following the Houthi attack on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ministry has only advised Indonesian pilgrims to choose direct flights to Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said his ministry was continuing to coordinate with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi authorities to monitor security developments in the Middle East.

“To date, we have continued to coordinate with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi authorities. There has been no decision to advise against or prohibit travel to Saudi Arabia,” Dahnil told reporters on Wednesday (14 October 2026).