January 8, 2026 | 05:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is exploring the opportunity to expand the hotel-based model of hajj embarkation. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, stated that this will be done if the pilot project, which has already begun in Yogyakarta, is successful.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has completed the construction of a hotel-based hajj embarkation model in Yogyakarta. Irfan described the existing embarkation model in Yogyakarta as exceptional.
"If the one in Yogyakarta is successful, it will become a role model for other regions that may require similar handling," Irfan said when met at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, East Jakarta, on Thursday, January 8, 2025.
He explained that the Ministry is using several area hotels as substitutes for the Hajj dormitories. With the hotel-based embarkation model, Irfan believes that the number of ceremonial activities for returning Hajj pilgrims in Indonesia should be reduced.
Irfan also stated that the ministry is working to carry out the inspection process directly at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA). "We ask for permission from Angkasa Putra (so that) the hajj pilgrims can return directly to their respective regions, " he said.
Jauhar Mustofa, the Head of the Hajj and Umrah Implementation Division of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Yogyakarta, previously explained that this hotel-based embarkation policy is stipulated in the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Decree No. 11 of 2025. "The YIA Airport Embarkation is a dream that has come true," said Jauhar, on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Jauhar outlined several operational advantages of the hajj embarkation through YIA Airport, including reducing the burden on the Donohudan Hajj Dormitory and Adi Soemarmo Airport, budget efficiency and travel distance, optimizing YIA Airport, and the economic impact on the surrounding communities of the embarkation area.
As an initial stage, the Ibis and Novotel hotels at YIA are prepared as facilities equivalent to hajj dormitories with modern service standards. Over 200 rooms will be used for pilgrims and staff, with a configuration of three people per room. Ballrooms and 11 meeting rooms have also been prepared as service centers, which encompass health, documentation, and departure processes.
In 2026, a total of 9,641 pilgrims, divided into 27 groups from the city of Yogyakarta, Kulon Progo Regency, Bantul, Gunungkidul, Sleman, Magelang City, Magelang Regency, Purworejo, Kebumen, Temanggung, and Wonosobo, will depart from YIA Airport. The pilgrims will be transported using Garuda Indonesia's Airbus A330/A360 aircraft.
Pribadi Wicaksono contributed to this article
Read: Indonesia Prepares Two Development Schemes for Hajj Village in Mecca
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Prepares Two Development Schemes for Hajj Village in Mecca
3 jam lalu
Danantara said the phased strategy was chosen to ensure that the development of Hajj Village progresses in a measured and sustainable manner.
Hajj Payments for Sumatra Flood Victims Close to Target
5 jam lalu
The Ministry of Hajj continues to offer relief to prospective Hajj pilgrims affected by the Sumatra disaster.
Danantara: Hajj Village in Thakher Set to House 22,000 Indonesian Pilgrims
20 jam lalu
Hajj Village development in Mecca will be phased with the initial target of accommodating 10 percent of the total Indonesian pilgrims each year.
Sumatra Disaster Victims May Be Unable to Perform Hajj in 2026
15 hari lalu
Prospective Hajj pilgrims from the three provinces may not depart next year and could be placed on the waiting list for the 2027 Hajj.
Indonesia Acquires Hotel in Mecca for Hajj Village Development
21 hari lalu
The Indonesian government has purchased a hotel for the construction of the Indonesian Hajj village in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Prabowo Sets 2026 Hajj Costs: Surabaya, Jakarta Face Highest Fees
34 hari lalu
The Presidential Decree signed by Prabowo also outlines the mechanism for regular Hajj pilgrims, regional Hajj officials, and more.
Saudi Airline Mukhtara Air to Launch in Indonesia in 2026, Targeting Hajj and Umrah Travel
37 hari lalu
Indonesia's aviation sector will welcome new international carrier Mukhtara Air, set to begin operations in January 2026.
KPK Seizes Assets Linked to Alleged Hajj Quota Corruption
49 hari lalu
All of the assets were seized by KPK investigators from a private party suspected of obtaining the assets from the corruption of the hajj quota arrangement.
KPK Expands Hajj Quota Corruption Probe, Questions 350 Travel Agencies
57 hari lalu
The anti-graft body also plans to conduct part of the investigation into the Hajj quota corruption in Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia Sets 2026 Hajj Cost at Rp87.4 Million per Pilgrim
29 Oktober 2025
The 2026 Hajj season is estimated to begin on April 18, 2026, which coincides with the 1st of Dzulqa'dah 1447 Hijri.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4548967/original/094336900_1692782124-tanaphong-toochinda-FEhFnQdLYyM-unsplash.jpg)
