"Technically, this airport can be used for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims," Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said during a meeting between members of Amirul Hajj Indonesia 2025 and the Taif International Airport Authority in Mecca on Sunday.
Through the meeting, the Indonesian government hoped to improve the flow of pilgrim arrivals and provide an alternative, more efficient route to Mecca.
"Taif Airport will be an alternative Hajj/Umrah airport besides Jeddah and Medina to reduce congestion. Moreover, the distance from Taif Airport to Mecca is not too far, only 70 kilometers," Purwagandhi informed.
He reported that this year's Hajj season marks the first time the Taif Airport has been used by special Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia. A total of 44 special Indonesian Hajj pilgrims landed at the airport on May 28, 2025.
"The arrival of special Indonesian Hajj pilgrims at Taif Airport marks as an important note in efforts to diversify the entry routes for Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia," the minister said.
Related news: Indonesia hopes for additional fast-track service for Hajj pilgrims
Earlier, Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, also outlined the Makkah Route as a reciprocal program to optimize services for Hajj pilgrims.
The Makkah Route is a collaboration between the Indonesian and Saudi Arabian immigration authorities to support the immigration process for Hajj pilgrims.
Currently, the program operates only for departures from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah Route is expected to help Indonesian Hajj pilgrims focus on their worship upon arrival in the Holy Land, as, under the program, their passport and visa checks are completed before departure.
Andrianto explained that the Makkah Route is a pre-departure immigration checkpoint service, wherein Saudi Arabian immigration officers conduct checks directly at Indonesian airports from which Hajj pilgrims embark.
Related news: Indonesia eyes reciprocal Makkah Route for Hajj pilgrims
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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