Jakarta, June 9 -- The Transportation Ministry and the Taif International Airport Authority of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, discussed the possibility of using the international airport for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, according to a ministry statement issued on Monday.

"Technically, this airport can be used for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims," Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said during a meeting between members of Amirul Hajj Indonesia 2025 and the Taif International Airport Authority in Mecca on Sunday.

Through the meeting, the Indonesian government hoped to improve the flow of pilgrim arrivals and provide an alternative, more efficient route to Mecca.

"Taif Airport will be an alternative Hajj/Umrah airport besides Jeddah...