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Govt sees 9.75% increase in air passengers in seasonal exodus
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Muslim women perform Idul Fitri prayers in Gumuk Pasir, Parangkusumo, Yogyakarta, on July 6, 2016. (The Jakarta Post/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo)
T
he Transportation Ministry’s director general for air transportation, Agus Santoso, said on Friday that the number of people traveling by plane was expected to increase by 9.75 percent, during this year's seasonal exodus before and after the Idul Fitri holiday, from last year.
The figure is estimated to surge to 5.5 million passengers this year from 4.9 million passengers last year.
“The number of 5.5 million passengers is our prediction for the entire [holiday],” Agus said, adding that the airlines was prepared to accommodate a total of 5.7 million passengers.
It is a tradition for many Indonesian Muslims, who will start fasting on Saturday, to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns, with many of them traveling from urban areas.
The exodus typically brings along with it traffic jams on roads from Jakarta to cities in West, Central and East Java, days ahead of the celebration. (bbn)
