Mecca, May 31 -- The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is currently planning the Hajj pilgrimage for 2027 and reviewing the framework for 2028, as an early step to anticipate various operational and financial challenges.

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, explained that rising aviation fuel (avtur) prices are a current cross-sector concern, given their direct effect on Hajj costs.

"We have begun planning for (Hajj) 2027 and 2028. We have maximized budget efficiency in various areas. However, given the challenge of avtur prices, we are currently exploring various possible best-fit formulas," he remarked on Sunday.

In developing this long-term financial policy, his office will continue to coordinate closely with the Hajj Fina...