Key Takeaways
- Hajj 2026 costs in Indonesia will be reduced by Rp2 million per pilgrim despite surging aviation fuel prices following the US-Israel war against Iran.
- The total Hajj Pilgrimage Management Cost (BPIH) for 2026 has been set at Rp87,409,366 — approximately US$5,145 — per pilgrim.
- Garuda Indonesia proposed an additional fee of Rp7.9 million per pilgrim while Saudi Airlines suggested an increase of US$480, but the government has directed that no extra costs be passed on to pilgrims.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced on Wednesday that the cost of Hajj 2026 for Indonesian pilgrims will be reduced by Rp2 million per person — approximately US$117 — despite a sharp rise in global aviation fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel war against Iran.
The announcement was made during a government working meeting at the Palace attended by around 800 bureaucrats.
“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.
Total Cost Set at Rp87.4 Million Per Pilgrim
The government and the House of Representatives had previously agreed on the Hajj Pilgrimage Management Cost (BPIH) for 2026. With the Rp2 million reduction applied, the total cost per pilgrim now stands at Rp87,409,366 — approximately US$5,145.
The Pressure From Rising Fuel Costs
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf laid out the scale of the challenge at a separate parliamentary hearing. Before the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran, the average flight cost per Indonesian Hajj pilgrim stood at around Rp33.5 million — approximately US$1,972.
The conflict and the resulting surge in aviation fuel prices changed that picture significantly. Airlines put forward substantial proposed increases. Without any route changes, flight costs could rise to Rp46.9 million — US$2,761 — per pilgrim.
If flights are rerouted to avoid conflict zones, that figure could climb further to Rp50.8 million — approximately US$2,991 per person.
Garuda Indonesia proposed an additional fee of Rp7.9 million — US$465 — per pilgrim. Saudi Airlines put forward a proposed increase of US$480 per passenger.
Government’s Position — No Extra Cost for Pilgrims
Despite the pressure from airlines, Minister Irfan was unambiguous about the government’s position. “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 said, describing President Prabowo’s directive as the government’s guiding principle.
“That is a commitment from President Prabowo, who has asked us and our team to follow up and calculate the actual needs,” he added.
The government is currently working through the calculations to determine how the gap between current airline proposals and the committed pilgrim cost will be managed.
