The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is taking steps to shorten Hajj waiting times and utilize flights for tourism.
President Prabowo Subianto has requested that the Hajj pilgrim queue be shortened further from the current average of 26 years. Vice Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated that waiting times have been equalized administratively, with 2026 and 2027 departures now at 13-14 years.
The ministry formed a cross-ministry task force to fill return flights from Saudi Arabia with Middle East tourists. Permission from Saudi aviation authorities has been obtained, Dahnil said at a Thursday press conference.
Additional measures include the establishment of the Directorate General for the Economic Ecosystem of Hajj and Umrah under Law Number 14 of 2025. Director General Prof Jaenal Effendi stressed collaboration with organizers to boost the national economy.
