"The trend is slightly down. Domestic and international flights usually increase by an average of seven percent. This is a slight increase of around 3.17 percent,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The number of air passengers is expected to go down during the Idul Fitri (Lebaran) this year, in contrast to the common trend of increasing during this time in the past.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Nur Isnin Istiartono stated at a press conference for the Eid 2019 Transportation Preparation and Free Homecoming Socialization at the Ministry of Transportation, Jakarta, Thursday, that this year's air passengers were forecast to decline by four percent, from seven percent annually, to three percent this year.

"The trend is slightly down. Domestic and international flights usually increase by an average of seven percent. This is a slight increase of around 3.17 percent," he noted.

Meanwhile, he remarked that the number of domestic flights was estimated to increase only 2.38 percent.

In preparation for this year's Eid, 547 flights are being operated by 12 airlines comprising 140 by Garuda Indonesia, 111 by Lion Air, 64 by Wings Air, 58 by Batik Air, 53 by Citilink, two by Sriwijaya Air, 25 by Susi Air, 26 by AirAsia, 16 by Nam Air, nine by Trigana Air, six by Transnusa, and four by Xpress Air.

Based on research from the Ministry of Transportation's Research and Development Agency, Lebaran 2019 travelers tended to use private vehicles, especially after full connectivity of all sections of the Trans-Java Toll Road.

Secretary of Research and Development, Ministry of Transportation, Rosita, said that it was supplemented by a long holiday before Eid, specifically the holiday of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. "The mode that is widely used is private cars," he stated.

Meanwhile, the peak of homecoming flows is estimated to be four days before D-day, or H-4, on June 30, and three days before D-day, or H-3, on July 1, 2019.

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019