JAKARTA - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is preparing for its heaviest Eid al-Fitr travel season in recent years, with 3,010,993 passengers forecast to move through its terminals between March 13 and 30, a 2.20 percent rise on last year.

General Manager Heru Karyadi told reporters at a press conference at Terminal 3 on Wednesday evening, March 11, that 19,891 flights are projected over the 18-day period, up 3.43 percent from 2025. 

 Peak outbound traffic is expected on March 18, with 187,202 passengers across 1,193 flights. Peak return falls on March 28, with 198,387 passengers across 1,221 flights. The airport has approved 735 additional flights, comprising 365 domestic and 370 international services.

“We have made various preparations, including operational, facility, and personnel readiness, to anticipate increased passenger traffic during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period. We are committed to ensuring that all airport services run optimally so that people can travel safely, comfortably, and smoothly,” he said.

To manage the surge, 7,832 personnel will be deployed across three command posts at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with all three runways, 175 aircraft parking stands and 115 aviobridges confirmed operational. 

The airport has also reinforced land transport links with intermodal buses, shuttle services and expanded taxi fleets, while real-time water level sensors and expanded drainage capacity have been installed as precautions against extreme weather.

Across all 37 airports it manages, InJourney Airports projects 9.03 million passengers for the Lebaran period, up around 2 percent from 2025, according to Dirut Mohammad R. Pahlevi. Wakil Dirut Achmad Syahir said nearly 16,000 personnel will be deployed across airports and aviation services nationwide, with all airports operating around the clock. 

Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport will close for 24 hours from 6 a.m. on March 19 for the Nyepi Day of Silence, with 440 scheduled flights affected, comprising 231 domestic and 209 international services.