Umrah Organisers' Alliance Requests Mitigation Measures If Departure Is Delayed
Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have created uncertainty for umrah travel organisers (PPIU) and pilgrims. The Secretary General of the Alliance of Hajj and Umrah Organisers Throughout Indonesia (ASPHIRASI), Retno Anugerah Andriyani, stated that no formal decision has yet been made by Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding the postponement of pilgrim departures.
“As of today, direct flights continue to operate on schedule. A number of umrah organisers continue to dispatch pilgrims because aircraft are available, visas have been issued, hotels are accessible, and there are no official flight restrictions to Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, direct flight routes do not pass through conflict zones,” Retno told reporters on Monday, 2 March 2026.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had advised prospective umrah pilgrims scheduled to depart to the Holy Land in the near future to postpone their travels. This advisory was issued amid conflict between Israel and the United States with Iran.
Retno noted that all direct flights to Saudi Arabia continue to operate normally. Airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Saudia Airlines continue to serve scheduled departures.
However, ASPHIRASI has reported significant disruptions affecting connecting flights. Several airlines have cancelled or suspended connecting services, impacting pilgrim departures and returns.
According to Retno, some pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia due to connecting flight cancellations. On the other hand, there are pilgrims who have obtained visas and booked hotels and other services, but cannot depart because connecting airline tickets with carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Scoot and others have been cancelled or suspended.
The Chief Executive of Hajar Aswad Mubaroq emphasised the importance of concrete government measures should a postponement decision be finalised. He called for such a policy to be accompanied by clear mitigation schemes to prevent widespread losses.
“ASPHIRASI proposes several measures, including visa cancellation or rescheduling without penalties, refunds or rescheduling of hotel and transport services, and relaxation of Mashaaer, Masar and Nusuk services,” he said.
Retno considers the current situation to be force majeure. However, travel insurance typically does not cover geopolitical risks, meaning potential losses fall on umrah organisers.
He drew a comparison with the Covid-19 pandemic, when Saudi Arabia directly suspended umrah services and implemented contract relaxation policies. Currently, Saudi Arabia has not closed umrah services and direct flights remain operational, whilst discussion of postponement originates domestically.
Therefore, ASPHIRASI has requested that the government ensure comprehensive protection for Indonesian pilgrims, both those remaining in Saudi Arabia and those stranded due to connecting flight cancellations.
“We hope the state will provide certainty regarding pilgrim protection mechanisms, compensation for losses, and guarantees for the continuity of Indonesia’s domestic umrah industry,” Retno said.