401 Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims Affected by Saudi Flight Cancellations

Jakarta, MINA – A total of 401 Indonesian prospective Umrah pilgrims at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were affected by connecting flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia on Monday, amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group.

The cancellations followed Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The group said its operations were in response to Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemeni government forces in the civil war.

Yudistiawan, assistant deputy for communications and legal affairs at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, said the affected pilgrims were booked on five flights operated by several airlines. They had been scheduled to continue their journeys via Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but the connecting flights were disrupted by the security situation in Riyadh.

Of the 401 pilgrims, 41 had continued their journeys to Riyadh, while another 14 opted for an alternative route through Türkiye.

Airport authorities activated Service Recovery Activation (SRA) procedures to assist passengers affected by the cancellations.

Yudistiawan confirmed that direct flights from Indonesia to Jeddah and Madinah, the two main entry points for Umrah pilgrims, continued to operate normally.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said no Indonesian Umrah pilgrims had been reported among the victims of the attacks.

Ministry spokesperson Ichsan Marsha said that, as of Sunday (October 11), 37 pilgrims had been recorded as departing and returning through Riyadh Airport. Prospective pilgrims who have yet to depart were advised to confirm their flight schedules with their respective Umrah travel organizers.

The attacks on Saudi Arabia escalated in early October, with the deadliest reported strike occurring at King Khalid International Airport on October 10. Saudi aviation authorities reported at least 12 people killed and 309 others injured in the incident.

The airport’s closure, extended until October 17, has disrupted air travel and affected passengers, including Indonesian pilgrims traveling for Umrah.

The Houthis have said their attacks are retaliation for Saudi support for Yemeni government forces and restrictions on ports and airports in areas under Houthi control.

The conflict began escalating in 2014, when Houthi forces seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government. More than a decade of fighting has killed over 150,000 people and contributed to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

Yon Machmudi, a Middle East expert at the University of Indonesia, assessed that the impact on Indonesian pilgrims has been felt mainly by those whose journeys involve transit through Riyadh and Dubai. He stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

The Indonesian government has condemned attacks on civilians and called on all parties to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue.

With the Houthis vowing to continue their attacks until their demands are met and Saudi Arabia pledging to respond firmly, uncertainty remains over the security situation and its effects on regional aviation.

Indonesian authorities are continuing to monitor developments and provide assistance to affected pilgrims. Prospective Umrah travelers are advised to verify flight information with their airlines and travel organizers before departure.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)