"The number of travelers departing through El Tari Kupang Airport on H-6 (six days before Idul Fitri or post fasting festivities) yesterday noticeably increased than the regular days," he informed Antara in Kupang.
Usman noted that until Thursday at 23:00 local time, the El Tari Kupang Airport Command Post had recorded 3,162 travelers leaving the airport.
In comparison with the number of travelers going through the airport on Wednesday (May 29), the figure reached 2,959.
However, as compared to the corresponding day in 2018, a major drop of 19 percent was recorded. In 2018, the figure had reached 3,735 travelers.
"The number of travelers departing from El Tari airport will certainly continue to steadily rise until the E-1 celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1439 Hijriah," he pointed out.
In addition to the decrease in the number of travelers leaving the airport, the number of travelers arriving at El Tari City also experienced a drop of 19 percent than 2018.
"This year, on the 6th day of Eid al-Fitr, the number of arriving passengers has reached 2,790. In the meantime, in 2018, the figure had reached 3,446 travelers," Usman stated.
The decline in the number of arriving and departing travelers resulted in a decrease in the number of aircraft serving them.
Six days before Idul Fitri, 40 aircraft arrived at El Tari airport, or a decrease of 4.7 percent, in comparison with 42 aircraft in 2018.
A similar trend was observed in the number of aircraft departing from El Tari Airport, reducing to 41 aircraft in 2019, from 42 in 2018.
"Information pertaining to passengers and aircraft is yesterday's data, while on this day, the recapitulation will be conducted only in the last hour of flight, at 11 p.m. local time," Usman noted.
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
