Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Agree to Add New Flight Routes, Allow Umrah to Use Tourist Visa

Share:

The governments of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are expanding cooperation in the aviation sector, a move that will significantly enhance travel convenience. This includes agreeing to add new flight routes between them and vice versa, opening up more options for travel and trade.

Through the exchange of diplomatic notes, the Ministry of Transportation proposed changes to agreements related to Air Safety, Aviation Security, and Authorizations and Designation, including the proposal of new routes for commercial flights between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. 

Then, in this year’s amendment, flight routes from all international airports in Saudi Arabia can land at airports in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Denpasar.

In addition, the Minister of Transportation also asked for support for Garuda Indonesia to increase the time slot during the Hajj season and move the terminal from the Hajj Terminal to Terminal 1 at King Abdulaziz-Jeddah International Airport.

“We believe that if this is done, this year’s Hajj flights will be more manageable,” said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

Saudi Arabia allows Umrah to use tourist visas

umrah visa

The Saudi Arabian government has taken a significant step towards inclusivity by granting Umrah permits to all visa holders, including tourist visas. 

This change is designed to support the Vision 2030 initiative launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and to cater to the diverse needs of travelers.

President of APAC Markets Saudi Tourism Authority, Alhasan Aldabbagh, at the opening of the first tourism exhibition titled Visit Saudi, Beyond Umrah at Kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta, May 1, 2024, said that tourist visas would facilitate the Umrah travel of Indonesian residents to Saudi Arabia.

He explained the difference between an Umrah visa and a tourist visa, where the Umrah visa is valid only for three months or 90 days. 

The tourist visa is valid for one year with multiple entries, making it easier for tourists.

Enjoyed this article? Explore other content from Social Expat for the latest updates on Travel News in Indonesia!

SEO Writer

Imelda is a content writer specializing in viral news and Indonesian culture. Her work revolves around researching and analyzing current events, social media trends, and popular culture.

Related News

The Jakarta Provincial Government is set to introduce a Car Free Night (CFN) every Saturday, beginning with a trial phase scheduled after the peak of Jakarta’s 488th-anniversary celebrations in late June 2025. This initiative is intended to encourage environmentally friendly activities and accommodate residents’ increasing preference for night-time exercise. Unlike the existing Car Free Day […]

Jetstar has announced the launch of a new direct international route between Newcastle Airport and Bali (Denpasar), with services scheduled to commence on 21 October 2025. This marks Newcastle’s return to regular international flights for the first time in over five years. The new service will operate three times per week using Jetstar’s modern A321LR […]

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has caused significant disruptions in international flights to and from Indonesia. As tensions continue to rise, several countries in the Middle East have imposed airspace closures, which have affected civil aviation in the region. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that the conflict has led […]

A number of Indonesian islands have been found listed for sale or rent on an international website, raising legal and political concerns. The website, privateislandsonline.com, offers several islands within Indonesian territory, including Panjang Island in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), for sale with no listed price, stating instead that pricing is “adjusted to demand.” Panjang Island, […]

Indonesia Guide

Just For Fun

Write For Us

Exclusive Promotions

Event Gallery