RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) stated that rising global aviation fuel prices have significantly increased the cost of Hajj flights this year. The increase is compounded by heightened geopolitical risks and the weakening of the Indonesian rupiah.

Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf explained that geopolitical conditions could force airlines to alter flight routes to avoid airspace affected by international conflict.

“Therefore, (state-owned flag carrier) Garuda Indonesia is using alternative routes, which will add approximately four hours to travel time and increase aviation fuel consumption by up to 12,000 tons,” Minister Irfan said during a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Senayan Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

He revealed that Garuda Indonesia, through an official letter, proposed an additional fee of IDR 7.9 million per pilgrim, based on an assumed aviation fuel price of USD 116 per liter. Saudi Airlines proposed an additional USD 480 (IDR 8.1 million) per pilgrim, assuming a fuel price of USD 137.4 per liter.

In a scenario without route changes, the average cost per pilgrim is estimated to rise to around IDR 46.9 million, an increase of 39.85 percent. With route changes, the average cost is projected to reach IDR 50.8 million per pilgrim, a 51.48 percent increase from previous costs.

“This shows that this year’s Hajj is under pressure from increasingly complex global factors. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen efficiency, coordination, and mitigation to maintain the sustainability of Hajj financing,” Irfan said.

He added that neither Indonesian nor Saudi airlines has issued an official statement regarding force majeure. The government is currently discussing various financing schemes to address the potential increase in flight costs.

In a recent meeting, President Prabowo Subianto instructed that any increase in the cost of organizing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage due to higher global aviation fuel prices should not be passed on to Indonesian pilgrims. “The president hopes that, regardless of the cost increase, it will not be passed on to pilgrims. We have been asked to calculate the actual budget requirements,” Minister Irfan said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)