AirNav strengthens airspace surveillance for smooth Eid holiday air transport operations

Jakarta — AirNav Indonesia is strengthening airspace surveillance and ensuring the readiness of flight navigation services to support the smooth and safe operation of air transport during the 2026 Eid holiday period.

Setio Anggoro, Director of Operations at AirNav Indonesia, said the anticipated increase in flight movements during the holiday migration season has been addressed through various operational readiness measures across all flight navigation service units.

“AirNav Indonesia has prepared all operational aspects to ensure flight navigation services during the Eid holiday transport period can run safely, smoothly, and efficiently,” Setio said at a press conference on AirNav Indonesia’s flight navigation service readiness for the 2026/1447 Hijri Eid holiday transport period in Jakarta on Monday.

He noted that this readiness includes operational personnel, flight navigation facilities, and strengthened coordination with all aviation stakeholders.

To support optimal air traffic management, AirNav Indonesia is operating the Indonesia Network Management Centre (INMC) as the national coordination centre for flight navigation services, which monitors and coordinates flight operations in real-time across Indonesia’s airspace.

Setio explained that AirNav Indonesia is ensuring operational support readiness that covers more than 2,800 communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic control system facilities.

“For ATC personnel alone, there are more than 1,700 officers in charge during this period at all AirNav Indonesia service offices,” he said.

To strengthen operational support, AirNav has also deployed more than 1,000 Air Traffic Service Engineers to ensure equipment readiness and reliability.

“Additionally, we are also placing at least 160 Aeronautical Information Service Officers, as well as more than 490 Air Communication Officers,” Setio added.

Flight navigation procedures have also been confirmed as operational at hundreds of airports across Indonesia, including standard instrument departure procedures, standard terminal arrival routes, and initial approach procedures for landing, to maintain operational efficiency and flight safety.

Setio emphasised that the increase in flight traffic during the Eid period is accompanied by heightened vigilance against various potential aviation safety risks, including interference from uncontrolled weather balloons.

“We continue to increase vigilance against various potential hazards during the Eid period, such as extreme weather, volcanic ash, uncontrolled weather balloons, potential bird strikes, and airport and airline operational disruptions,” he said.

He stated that all operational personnel have been reminded to increase discipline in following procedures and coordination between units to maintain flight safety.

He also highlighted the important role of the public in safeguarding aviation safety, particularly regarding the potential of uncontrolled weather balloons that often appear during the Eid period. Two regions that frequently draw attention due to weather balloon activity are Wonosobo Regency and Pekalongan City in Central Java.

However, recently, several other regions have also indicated such activity. AirNav Indonesia continues to conduct public safety campaigns regarding the dangers of uncontrolled weather balloons to aviation through various media.

“However, this issue cannot be resolved by AirNav alone. We hope that public awareness will continue to increase so that Indonesian airspace remains safe for all flights,” Setio said.

With the readiness of infrastructure, personnel, and cross-stakeholder coordination, AirNav Indonesia is optimistic that flight navigation services during the 2026 Eid holiday transport period can operate safely, smoothly, and efficiently, allowing the public to undertake their holiday journeys comfortably.

He also noted that flight traffic during this period is projected to increase by approximately 4.5 per cent compared to the previous year, although he did not provide detailed figures on flight numbers.