Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Indonesia urges pilgrims to skip regional transits for direct Saudi flights
Indonesian authorities are advising Hajj pilgrims to avoid connecting flights through regional hubs, instead recommending direct services to Saudi Arabia on domestic carriers. The guidance comes from the deputy minister overseeing the country's pilgrimage programme.
LSN Malaysia ·
Indonesia's deputy haj minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak has called on pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia to book direct flights with local airlines rather than transiting through neighbouring countries. The advisory represents a shift in travel guidance for the hundreds of thousands of Indonesian Muslims undertaking the annual pilgrimage. Simanjuntak urged adherence to the recommendation to streamline the journey to the holy sites, suggesting that direct routing would provide a more efficient travel experience for pilgrims. The directive emphasises the use of Indonesian carriers offering non-stop services to Saudi Arabia, reducing travel time and potential complications associated with multi-leg itineraries. Officials have indicated that pilgrims should coordinate with authorised travel agencies to arrange direct flight bookings aligned with the ministry's guidance.