Immigration on High Alert to Anticipate the Impact of Middle East Airspace Closures

JAKARTA – The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) has increased its state of readiness at all Airport Immigration Checkpoints (TPI) following the escalation of military conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in the closure of airspace in several countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran. This situation has had a direct impact on international flight operations to and from Indonesia.

Based on monitoring reports as of Saturday (28/02/2026) at 21:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB), a total of eight international flights at three major airports (Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah Rai, and Kualanamu) have experienced cancellations or delays. This has affected a total of 2,228 passengers, consisting of 1,644 Foreign Nationals (WNA) and 584 Indonesian Citizens (WNI).

The Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, emphasized that his ranks have taken swift action by canceling departure clearances—both manually and through the system—for affected passengers and airline crews.

“The Directorate General of Immigration ensures that immigration services at airports remain optimal and conducive. Our focus is on maintaining the smoothness of services, the orderliness of inspections, and the certainty of procedures for passengers affected by flight cancellations or diversions,” Yuldi affirmed. The DGI has instructed immigration officers at airports to respond to the current flight situation with the following measures:

• Adjusting the deployment of personnel in international arrival and departure areas in accordance with flight dynamics;
• Maintaining intensive coordination with airport authorities, airlines, and relevant agencies to address schedule changes, rerouting, and flight cancellations;
• Conducting continuous monitoring of flight developments through official channels and credible flight data sources.

Handling Policies for Affected Passengers and Overstay Issues

The DGI has also issued the Director General of Immigration Circular Number IMI-GR.01.01-133, dated March 1, 2026. Through this circular, immigration offices overseeing airports are instructed to:

• Grant an Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) with a maximum validity period of 30 (thirty) days, which may be extended if necessary according to regulations;
• Apply a fine of IDR 0.00 (zero rupiah) for foreign nationals who overstay as a result of these conditions, provided they attach a statement or declaration from the Aviation Civil Authority (airline/airport authority).

“We advise international passengers, particularly those on routes involving transit in the Middle East, to consistently check their flight status through official airline applications and to immediately coordinate with the airlines or airport officers should they require immigration assistance,” Yuldi Yusman concluded.

One Declaration for All Arrival Processes

Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, described the All Indonesia system as a major leap forward in public service.

“Passengers only need to fill out one declaration. The inspection process is much faster, and they can even use the immigration autogate,” he explained.

He further noted that the system is already connected to the corridor gate, an automatic biometric inspection system designed for priority passengers such as the elderly, travelers using wheelchairs, and unaccompanied minors. This allows them to complete immigration checks simply by walking through the corridor.

Full Support from Finance and Health Ministries

Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, expressed appreciation for the implementation of the All Indonesia system as a key public service innovation at Indonesia’s entry points.
He confirmed that the Directorate General of Customs and Excise is fully ready to support the integration effort.

“Combining immigration, customs, health, and quarantine declarations into one system will greatly simplify the process, speed up arrivals, and enhance efficiency at airports and seaports,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, highlighted that integrating the health declaration into All Indonesia represents a strategic step to strengthen the national early warning system for communicable diseases.

“Through this platform, the Ministry of Health can detect potential disease risks more rapidly and respond before they spread further. It’s a vital part of protecting public health,” he said.

Safeguarding Indonesia’s Biological Resources

Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Sahat M. Panggabean, emphasized that the inclusion of quarantine services in the All Indonesia system not only enhances passenger convenience but also reinforces national protection against animal, fish, and plant diseases and pests that could harm public health and ecosystems.

“With this system, any animal, fish, plant, or related products brought from abroad can be monitored earlier, with data automatically connected to the national quarantine system. This ensures smooth passenger flow without reducing supervision,” he explained.

Towards a Modern and Seamless Arrival Experience

The introduction of All Indonesia marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s digital transformation of public services.
By integrating multiple agencies into one unified system, the government aims to provide all international travelers with a modern, seamless, and efficient entry experience — reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to innovation and service excellence.

Source : https://www.imigrasi.go.id/