Jakarta, April 28, 2026, SPA — The Hajj journey no longer begins upon arrival in Saudi Arabia; it now starts thousands of kilometers away, at departure airports, where the experience is reshaped into one that is calmer, smoother, and more reassuring.
In Indonesia, the Makkah Route Initiative has long embodied this concept, offering a distinct experience in which travel procedures are completed before departure rather than upon arrival.
The initiative first took shape in 2017, when it was implemented in Indonesia as one of the earliest participating countries. It is part of the Ministry of Interior’s initiatives, carried out under the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030.
In Indonesia, the initiative was first launched at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, marking the first gateway where Hajj procedures were completed outside the Kingdom’s borders, while maintaining high operational efficiency.
The initiative later expanded to the airports of Solo and Surabaya, widening access for Hajj pilgrims and reinforcing its position as a comprehensive system that continues to grow year after year.
In 2026, the expansion continued with the launch of the initiative at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. The new station reflects rising demand and further extends the service footprint in one of the world’s largest contributors of Hajj pilgrims.
Inside dedicated Makkah Route Initiative lounges, procedures flow seamlessly. Biometric data is recorded, Hajj visas are issued electronically, and passport procedures are completed in the country of departure.
Even luggage is tagged to arrive directly at pilgrims’ accommodations in Makkah and Madinah, supported by an integrated technological and logistical system designed to reduce waiting times and ease the journey.
This gradual expansion across Indonesia, from Jakarta to Solo and Surabaya, and now Makassar, reflects a story that goes beyond service delivery, toward a fully integrated pilgrim experience that begins the moment pilgrims arrive at the airport, supported by trained personnel, advanced systems, and cross-border coordination.
The Makkah Route Initiative in Indonesia continues to establish a distinctive model for serving pilgrims, one that begins where the pilgrim stands, guiding them through a carefully organized journey toward a more peaceful and reassuring Hajj that starts long before the aircraft takes off.