Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2026 will be reduced by Rp2 million (about US$117) per pilgrim, even as global aviation fuel prices surge.
“We will ensure that the 2026 Hajj costs will be reduced by around Rp2 million, even though the price of aviation fuel has increased,” President Prabowo said during a government working meeting at the Palace on Wednesday, addressing around 800 bureaucrats.
The government and the House of Representatives previously agreed that the Hajj Pilgrimage Management Cost (BPIH) for 2026 would decline by Rp2 million, bringing the total to Rp87,409,366 (about US$5,145) per pilgrim.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, speaking separately at a parliamentary hearing, confirmed the President’s directive: “If there is an increase in the components of the Hajj costs this year, the increase should not be passed on to the pilgrims.”
He explained that before the outbreak of the US–Israel war against Iran, the average flight cost per pilgrim was around Rp33.5 million (US$1,972).
Following the conflict and rising aviation fuel prices, airlines proposed significant increases. Without route changes, costs could rise to Rp46.9 million (US$2,761) per person, while rerouting to avoid conflict zones could push costs to Rp50.8 million (US$2,991).
Garuda Indonesia proposed an additional fee of Rp7.9 million (US$465) per pilgrim, while Saudi Airlines suggested an increase of US$480.
Despite these pressures, Minister Irfan emphasized that the President’s instructions remain the government’s guiding principle.
“That’s a commitment from President Prabowo, who has asked us and our team to follow up and calculate the actual needs,” he said.
source: antaranews
