Eid Travel Season Air Traffic Rises; AirNav Warns of Dangers from Uncontrolled Weather Balloons
JAKARTA — Flight traffic is expected to increase significantly during the 2026 Eid travel season compared to normal periods. Amid this surge, AirNav Indonesia has issued a warning about the dangers posed by uncontrolled weather balloons, which pose a potential threat to aviation safety.
Perum Lembaga Penyelenggara Pelayanan Navigasi Penerbangan Indonesia (LPPNPI), or AirNav Indonesia, projects that flight movements during the 2026 Eid travel season will increase approximately 4.5 per cent compared to normal operating periods.
“Increased flight movements during the travel season have been anticipated through various operational readiness measures across all aviation navigation service units,” said Setio Anggoro, Director of Operations at AirNav Indonesia, on Monday 16 March 2026.
“These preparations encompass operational personnel, aviation navigation facilities, and strengthened coordination with all aviation stakeholders,” he added.
AirNav has ensured operational support readiness covering more than 2,800 communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic control system facilities.
Furthermore, more than 1,700 air traffic control officers have been deployed across all AirNav Indonesia service offices throughout the Eid transport period.
To support smooth air traffic flow, AirNav is also operating the Indonesia Network Management Centre (INMC), which serves as the national aviation navigation service orchestration centre, monitoring and coordinating flight operations in real time across Indonesian airspace.
In addition to air traffic control officers, AirNav has mobilised 160 Aeronautical Information Service Officers and more than 490 Air Communication Officers to support aviation navigation operations during the 2026 Eid period.
However, Setio noted that several other regions are also beginning to show indications of similar activities.
“We are continuously conducting safety campaigns with the public regarding the dangers of uncontrolled weather balloons to aviation through various media,” Setio explained.
“This problem cannot be resolved by AirNav alone,” he continued.
He expressed hope that public awareness will continue to increase so that Indonesian airspace remains safe for all flight operations.
“We hope that shared awareness will continue to grow so that Indonesian airspace remains safe for all aviation,” he emphasised.