Indonesia pushes umrah pilgrims to use domestic flights over regional hubs

Indonesia's government has launched a campaign to redirect umrah pilgrims away from using Singapore and Malaysia as transit points, instead urging them to depart directly from Indonesian airports for their journeys to Saudi Arabia.

Official sources said the initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia's aviation industry by capturing more of the lucrative pilgrimage travel market. Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by millions of Muslims annually, represents significant economic activity for airlines and related services across the region.

The move reflects Jakarta's broader strategy to position Indonesian aviation hubs as preferred departure points for Southeast Asian travellers. By consolidating umrah pilgrim traffic through domestic airports, Indonesian carriers and supporting industries stand to benefit from increased passenger volumes and associated spending.

The campaign underscores growing competition among regional aviation sectors to capture shares of religious tourism, a key revenue driver in South and Southeast Asia. For Singapore and Malaysia, the initiative may redirect some transit passenger traffic that has traditionally flowed through their major hubs.