Jakarta. Escalating tensions in the Middle East following the United States and Israel’s military actions against Iran have disrupted regional air travel, leaving hundreds of Indonesian travelers temporarily stranded while diplomats work to secure their return home.

The disruption has affected not only Indonesian umrah pilgrims but also Christian pilgrims touring biblical sites across the region, as several Middle Eastern countries temporarily closed their airspace.

A viral video circulating on social media showed Indonesian Christian pilgrims seeking assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, after their return flights were canceled.

At least 24 pilgrims from Surabaya-based Renata Tour Travel remain stranded in Amman after flights out of Jordan were suspended amid the regional escalation. The group was originally scheduled to return to Indonesia on March 4, but all flights across parts of the Middle East were halted starting March 3.

Renata Tour Travel staff member Kresentia Verena said the Indonesian Embassy in Amman had helped arrange an alternative route for the stranded pilgrims.

“After we requested assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, they helped arrange an alternative return route. The pilgrims are being transported overland to Cairo, Egypt, where flights are still operating,” Verena said on Thursday.

She added that the group is currently traveling by land to Cairo in a journey expected to take around nine hours.

Although tickets for the flight back to Indonesia have not yet been secured, Verena said both the travel agency and embassy officials are working to arrange seats as soon as possible. “We are still trying to secure return tickets from Cairo to Indonesia as soon as possible,” she said.

Footage shared by the tour leader shows the pilgrims appearing calmer after learning that arrangements were underway. Authorities estimate around 200 Indonesian Christian pilgrims may still be stranded in Amman due to flight disruptions.

Meanwhile, Indonesian officials in Saudi Arabia say the repatriation process for umrah pilgrims continues under close supervision.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah reported that 2,278 Indonesian pilgrims were processed for departure through King Abdulaziz International Airport late on March 3.

In total, 10,060 Indonesian pilgrims had returned home between Feb. 28 and March 3.

Muhammad Ilham Effendy, technical staff for Hajj and Umrah affairs at the consulate, said officials were monitoring the process closely to ensure pilgrims receive assistance throughout their journey. “We ensure that all pilgrims receive direct assistance from check-in until departure. The state is present to provide protection,” Ilham said in a statement.

As of March 3, about 300 Indonesian pilgrims were still experiencing flight delays in Jeddah and Makkah, mainly due to rescheduled flights, visa coordination issues, and transit complications.

To address the situation, the consulate said it has coordinated with airlines to secure departure schedules, provided food and basic necessities for stranded pilgrims, and maintained 24-hour monitoring at airports to prevent overcrowding. Officials said the overall repatriation process remains under control despite the ongoing regional tensions.

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