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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Thousands of Umrah pilgrims affected as HIMPUH prepares contingency measures

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • HIMPUH said 1,007 Umrah pilgrims from member travel companies were affected by airport closures caused by volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau’s eruption.
  • The affected pilgrims include travelers waiting to depart, pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia or transit countries, and those whose flights were diverted to alternative airports.
  • The organization said disruptions could trigger additional hotel, transport and other costs, while it works to improve communication and coordination with travel operators.

At least 1,007 Umrah pilgrims linked to travel companies under Indonesia’s HIMPUH umbrella have been affected by airport closures caused by volcanic ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau.

HIMPUH’s figures, recorded on Monday morning, cover several groups. Some pilgrims remain in their home cities or departure airports after cancellations or delays prevented them from flying to Saudi Arabia. Others are still in Saudi Arabia and must extend their stay because flights from Jeddah or Medina to Indonesia were canceled, rescheduled or rerouted. Pilgrims are also affected while in transit countries, or after their flights were diverted to alternative airports.

The disruption threatens more than the timing of the journey. Changes to flights can affect hotel, transport and other reservations in Saudi Arabia, as well as the duration of travel and the validity of travel documents. Pilgrims held in Saudi Arabia or transit countries may need extra accommodation, meals, transport and baggage services that were not included in their original packages.

First, there are pilgrims who will depart for Saudi Arabia. They are in their home cities or at departure airports, but cannot leave because flights have been canceled or delayed.

· HIMPUHThe organization’s official release described the first group affected by the airport closures.

For Umrah operators, HIMPUH said the disruption could bring major unexpected costs, force them to reorganize entire travel packages and put pressure on tour leaders and field staff. It also identified information distribution as a key problem. Many operators buy tickets through wholesalers, consolidators, ticket agents or other third parties rather than directly from airlines, creating a risk that emergency flight changes will not reach them quickly, completely or consistently.

HIMPUH is preparing mitigation measures and focusing on communication and coordination as the disruption continues.

Second, there are pilgrims who are still in Saudi Arabia.

· HIMPUHThe release identified pilgrims in Saudi Arabia whose return flights were canceled, rescheduled or rerouted.
About this summary

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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