Angkasa Pura: Multiple Airlines Request Additional Flights to BIM

Padang (ANTARA) — Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s Minangkabau International Airport (BIM) branch office in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, reported that several airlines have submitted requests for additional flights ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday for the Islamic year 1447 Hijriah.

“We have already received requests for extra flights from several airlines ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday,” said Dony Subardono, General Manager of Angkasa Pura II’s BIM branch office, in Padang Pariaman Regency on Thursday.

By Wednesday (11 March 2026), Angkasa Pura had received at least 54 requests for additional flights to BIM. The breakdown included 17 requests from Garuda Indonesia, 34 from Lion Group, one from Pelita Air, and two from Citilink.

Subardono said that flight tickets to BIM were largely sold out on average. This indicates strong enthusiasm among travellers heading home for Eid al-Fitr celebrations in 1447 Hijriah. This demand was also a key factor prompting several airlines to submit requests for additional flights to the airport.

“Based on ticket sales monitoring, flight tickets to Padang have indeed largely sold out,” he said.

Based on current demand and ticket sales trends, Angkasa Pura’s BIM branch office estimates that the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday season will experience a 12 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to the 2025 Eid al-Fitr holiday period.

“Our estimate is a 12 per cent increase, with the peak expected three days before Eid,” he said.

Regarding the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Angkasa Pura stated that there was no significant impact on passenger traffic to the airport. This is because the airport in Padang Pariaman Regency only serves two international routes: Malaysia and Singapore.

However, he acknowledged that the conflict between Iran and the alliance of the United States and Israel was affecting charter flight bookings to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, particularly for umrah pilgrimage flights.

“For international flights, since we are a regional airport serving only Malaysia and Singapore, the Middle East conflict does not have a major impact. However, the impact is more noticeable on charter flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” he said.