Menhaj Says Increase in Avtur Prices Affects Hajj Costs

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf (left) with Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak / ANTARA FOTO/Asprilla Dwi Adha/agr

JAKARTA - The Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said the increase in global jet fuel prices provided significant pressure on the cost of conducting the 2026 hajj, especially on the aviation component.

"This condition confirms that this year's Hajj is under pressure from increasingly complex global factors, so it is necessary to strengthen efficiency, coordination, and mitigation to maintain the sustainability of Hajj financing," said Menhaj Irfan Yusuf during a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission VIII of the DPR as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 8.

Menhaj Irfan explained that in the determination of the 2026 Hajj Service Fee (BPIH), the average cost of flight per person was in the range of Rp. 33.5 million. In the global dynamics, such as the increase in jet fuel prices, the increase in war risk insurance premiums, and the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, caused a significant cost surge.

"In addition to this, geopolitical conditions also have the potential to force rerouting of flights to avoid conflict airspace," said Menhaj.

According to him, the scenario of changing flight routes has an impact on the addition of travel time of about four hours and an increase in jet fuel consumption of up to 11,000 tons.

For the proposed cost, he said, the Garuda Indonesia airline proposed an additional cost of around IDR 7.9 million per person, while Saudi Airlines proposed an increase of 480 US dollars per person assuming the price of jet fuel reaches 137.4 cents US dollars per liter.

In a scenario without route changes, he continued, the average flight cost per person is estimated to rise to Rp. 46.9 million or increase by 39.85 percent. Meanwhile, if the route is changed, the cost can increase to Rp. 50.8 million or increase by around 51.48 percent.

Menhaj explained that in the contract between the Ministry of Religion and the airline, there was a force majeure clause that allowed adjustments through deliberation if certain conditions occurred.

"However, until now there has been no official statement regarding the status of force majeure from authorities in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia," said Menhaj Irfan.

Regarding the potential for additional costs, Menhaj emphasized that the government had discussed this in a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.

"President Prabowo hopes that whatever happens, if there is an increase, he asks that it not be imposed on our pilgrims," said MenhajMochamadIrfanYusuf.

He added that the direction was a commitment of the government which is now being followed up by the relevant team by carefully calculating the budget needs.