Ready for the December rush at the airports? Indonesia is planning to set another record for the number of tourists arriving on the island to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The Ministry of Transportation forecasts a significant surge in activity, expecting millions of visitors from all over the world.
The numbers are impressive. The state-owned company InJourney Airports (Angkasa Pura Indonesia) is preparing to handle 9,035,958 passengers. It's almost like the entire population of London decided to travel somewhere at the same time. The increase in passenger traffic will be nearly 4% compared to last year's Christmas holidays.
Prepare for the longest queues at the end of December, with peak departures expected over the weekend of December 20-21. The return wave is set to hit the airports on January 3-4.
Will airlines manage such a load? Indonesia has a total of 560 civilian aircraft, but only 366 are ready for flight, with the rest undergoing maintenance. Lion Air, with 97 planes, and the national carrier Garuda Indonesia will handle most of the operations.
Ngurah Rai Airport ranks among the top five busiest hubs in the country, alongside Jakarta, Makassar, Medan, and Surabaya.
No surprises on international routes. The heaviest traffic is expected on flights to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the main transit points for those entering or leaving the archipelago.
Now for some good news for our wallets. The government has decided to lower ticket prices for this peak period. Discounts on VAT, reduced airport fees, and lower fuel prices are in effect for tickets purchased by January 10, for travel during the holiday season.
Security is promised to be as tight as possible. Airports will deploy 16,000 personnel, including support from police and military forces. The Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, confirmed the readiness of special plans in case of emergencies.
The situation will be monitored from a central hub in Jakarta. Mohammad R. Pahlevi, head of InJourney Airports, is betting on technology and emergency response teams. All 37 airports managed by the company have undergone infrastructure checks.
Preparations seem serious, but it's unlikely that queues will be avoided. We recommend arriving at the airport well in advance if you plan to fly. If you are planning to arrive for the New Year celebrations with a visa on arrival (VOA), we suggest applying for it online in advance (eVOA). This will allow you to pass through immigration control more quickly.
Planning a trip but not sure which visa you need? Contact Legal Indonesia - the specialists will advise you on the type of stay permit that suits you best!
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