RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The surge in global aviation fuel prices has increased the cost of organizing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, raising concerns about a significant financial burden on pilgrims. The government, however, has confirmed that pilgrims will not be affected by this increase as part of its protection policy.

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Hidayat Nur Wahid, praised President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to reject imposing additional costs on pilgrims, calling it an important effort to maintain social stability and provide certainty for those scheduled to depart on April 22, 2026.

“This is important to maintain the state’s support and provide peace of mind for Indonesian pilgrims,” Hidayat said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, April 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that the decision concerns not only budget policy but also the psychological well-being of prospective pilgrims who have been waiting for years to depart.

Data presented at a working meeting between Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on April 8, 2026, showed that flight costs have risen sharply.

Initially, at around IDR 33.5 million per pilgrim, costs could increase to IDR 46.9 million without route changes and potentially reach IDR 50.8 million with adjusted flight routes.

Commission VIII firmly rejected passing these additional costs on to pilgrims. “Commission VIII emphasizes that the increase in costs due to aviation fuel should not be borne by prospective pilgrims. Moreover, flight contracts contain force majeure clauses that should serve as the basis for finding joint solutions without burdening pilgrims,” Hidayat said.

He also highlighted domestic travel challenges, noting that pilgrims from Papua and Maluku must depart via Makassar, while those from Bali and East Nusa Tenggara must depart via Surabaya. Rising domestic ticket prices could further raise costs, so he urged the government to extend its protection policy to cover the entire journey.

Hidayat warned that uncontrolled cost increases could trigger unrest and delay departures, as many pilgrims have waited for decades to perform the Hajj.

Previously, Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said that the president had directed that any unavoidable increase in Hajj costs should not be passed on to pilgrims. The directive was delivered during a meeting with government officials. ***