Indonesia's Airports Gear Up For Major Holiday Passenger Influx

Jakarta - Indonesian aviation officials are implementing a robust preparedness plan to manage the annual end-of-year travel peak. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has finalized operational inspections at all 257 commercial airports in Indonesia, verifying their readiness for the increased passenger and flight volumes expected during the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 celebrations. This proactive step is central to the government's commitment to delivering safe, comfortable, and reliable air travel services.

The inspection process was meticulously organized to ensure nationwide coverage. A central team from Jakarta targeted 12 strategically selected airports for in-depth review. Meanwhile, to guarantee no facility was overlooked, inspectors from ten regional Airport Authority Offices were deployed to examine the remaining 245 airports, assessing every operational detail within their local areas of responsibility.

Director General Lukman F. Laisa detailed that the evaluation criteria were exhaustive. Teams scrutinized critical airside infrastructure—including runways, lighting, and navigation systems—and landside passenger facilities. The goal, as stated by Laisa, is unambiguous: to ensure every aspect of airport service runs smoothly and safely throughout the demanding holiday period, which sees a concentrated surge in traffic.

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Recognizing that infrastructure is only one part of the equation, the government has also intervened on the economic front. A suite of stimulus policies has been enacted to prevent ticket prices from soaring during high demand. These measures include absorbing the VAT for flights, providing discounts on fuel surcharges and airport tariffs, and lowering fuel costs at dozens of airports, collectively aiming to reduce the financial burden on travelers.

Travel demand forecasts justify this extensive preparation. Official projections estimate that air passenger numbers will surpass 5.05 million during the Nataru window. Domestic travel is expected to account for the majority, with nearly 3.9 million passengers, while international travel to and from Indonesia is forecast to involve another 1.15 million people, indicating a vibrant period of cross-border mobility.

The busiest air corridors reflect Indonesia's key economic and tourism hubs. Domestically, routes radiating from Jakarta to Denpasar, Surabaya, and Medan are predicted to see the highest traffic. Internationally, short-haul routes to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from both Jakarta and Denpasar are anticipated to be the most popular, underscoring Bali's continued status as a premier regional destination.

While 368 aircraft are confirmed serviceable for the peak season, officials note the broader fleet is still in a recovery phase. With a total national fleet of 568 planes, some remain out of service for maintenance, meaning airlines will operate with tighter rotations. This fact heightens the importance of the pre-emptive inspections and contingency planning to avoid disruptions from technical issues or adverse weather.

The Ministry of Transportation's multipronged strategy—encompassing rigorous safety checks, weather disruption planning, and market-level fare controls—demonstrates a coordinated effort to balance capacity, safety, and affordability. This approach is designed to ensure that the holiday travel experience for millions is defined by efficiency and accessibility rather than inconvenience and excessive cost.

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