Prabowo’s Push for Affordable Pilgrimage

Following directives from President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian authorities are actively exploring avenues to significantly reduce the financial burden of the Hajj pilgrimage.Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Deputy Head of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Haji), affirmed the commitment to streamlining costs without compromising the quality of services provided to pilgrims.

“President [Prabowo] traced the cost component ranging from transportation,ranging from consumption,accommodation,” Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak,Deputy Head of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Haji)

Transportation: The Key to Cost Savings

transportation expenses constitute a substantial portion – approximately 30% – of the overall Hajj fee. The current charter system,where aircraft often return empty after transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia,inflates ticket prices. This means pilgrims effectively pay for four tickets instead of two.

Dahnil emphasized the need to optimize aircraft utilization. One proposed solution involves coordinating with Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector to fill return flights with tourists, thereby distributing the cost and reducing individual pilgrim expenses.

“…we are greater in transportation 30 percent of the hajj fee is on transportation.Because our aircraft is changing and going home, the pilgrims pay 4 tickets, because the Carter returns is empty. So it’s a cost funded by the congregation,” Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Deputy Head of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Haji)

Expanding Airline Partnerships for Competitive Pricing

To foster competition and potentially lower prices, Indonesia is considering expanding the pool of airlines authorized to transport pilgrims. The recent addition of Lion Air, supplementing Garuda Indonesia, marks a step in this direction. However, regulations stipulate that Saudi Arabian airlines must handle 50% of the pilgrim transport, adding complexity to the process.

This move aligns with global trends in aviation, where increased competition often leads to more affordable fares. For exmaple, the deregulation of the airline industry in the United States in the late 1970s resulted in significantly lower ticket prices for consumers.

Beyond transportation: Catering and accommodation

While transportation is a primary focus, the cost-cutting initiative extends to other areas, including catering and accommodation.By identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in these sectors, authorities aim to provide a more affordable Hajj experience for Indonesian Muslims.

the 2024 Hajj season saw over 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims participate. Reducing costs could make the pilgrimage accessible to a wider segment of the population, fulfilling a important religious aspiration for manny.

Looking Ahead: Hajj 2026 and Beyond

The task for 2026 is to thoroughly examine all cost components associated with the Hajj, targeting inefficiencies without compromising service quality. This complete review aims to establish a lasting and affordable pilgrimage framework for the future.

“Of course our tough task in 2026 is to explore the cost of forming the cost of the pilgrimage so that it can be reduced,especially those that cause inefficiency but do not reduce services,” Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak,Deputy Head of the hajj Organizing Agency (BP Haji)