Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Team Up to Boost Travel and Transport
More Airports, More Choices
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to open more airports for flights between the two countries. Yogyakarta and Banda Aceh now join the list of Indonesian gateways that can send passengers to Saudi destinations. This move comes as travel—especially for religious trips like umrah—keeps growing.
New Gateways for Pilgrims
Many Indonesian Muslims fly to Jeddah and Medina for umrah. Because demand is rising, one Indonesian airline has already added extra flights to those cities since December 2025. The extra airports give travelers more options and help ease congestion at busy hubs.
Fair Play for Airlines
Indonesia’s Transportation Minister, Dudy Purwagandhi, stressed that any expansion must be fair. Both countries want airlines to follow the same rules, maintain good service standards, and avoid giving one carrier an unfair advantage.
Indonesia’s ICAO Dream
Indonesia is also asking Saudi Arabia to support its bid for a seat on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A council seat would give Jakarta a stronger voice in shaping global aviation rules, and the vote will happen at ICAO’s special session in Montreal this November.
Smoother Pilgrimage Flights
To make the pilgrimage experience easier, Indonesia will shift hajj and umrah flights to Terminal 2F at Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport. The change should reduce waiting times and make the journey smoother for the thousands of travelers who pass through each year.
Beyond the Runway: Shipping, Rail, and Safety
The talks went far beyond airplanes. Both sides signed memoranda of understanding covering:
- Transport safety investigations
- Maritime shipping
- Rail development
Indonesia will set up a technical team to work out the details quickly.
Why Rail and Sea Matter
As an archipelago, Indonesia relies heavily on ships to move goods between islands and is expanding its rail network. Deeper cooperation with Saudi Arabia could bring new investment, technology, and expertise that Indonesia doesn’t have yet.
Learning from Jakarta’s Transit
Saudi Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser didn’t just meet officials; he also toured Jakarta’s mass rapid transit system. The visit gave Saudi planners a chance to see urban transport models that might inspire future projects in the Kingdom.
Big‑Picture Diplomacy
These transport discussions build on a broader agreement made last July between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in many sectors, with transport as a key pillar.
Human Capital Exchange
Indonesia proposed sharing talent: internships and job placements for graduates of its transportation academies at Saudi companies, plus faculty exchanges between training institutions. This would let Saudi firms tap into Indonesia’s pool of aviation, maritime, rail, and land‑transport graduates.
Conclusion
While most of the outcomes from the meeting are statements of intent rather than signed contracts, the direction is clear. Indonesia and Saudi Arabia want to expand airport access, improve pilgrimage travel, work together on shipping and rail, and boost global aviation influence through ICAO. If the plans turn into real projects, travelers and businesses in both countries could see faster, safer, and more connected transport options in the near future.
