El Tari Airport Kupang Operates 24 Hours to Handle Eid Holiday Exodus 2026

In preparation for the Eid holiday exodus of 2026, El Tari Airport in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, has upgraded operational services by implementing 24-hour operations. In addition to enhanced services, security throughout the airport area has been tightened to anticipate various contingencies as passenger numbers increase during the holiday migration period.

General Manager of El Tari Airport Kupang, Teguh Darmawan Saiman, stated that the airport has established the Unified Eid Holiday Transport Command Post (1447 H/2026), operating from 13 to 30 March 2026. The command post functions as a coordination centre for various stakeholders to monitor aircraft and passenger movements, whilst simultaneously accelerating the handling of operational challenges and emergency situations.

According to Teguh, passenger surges are expected to occur in the run-up to Eid al-Fitr, particularly three days before the holiday. “The passenger surge will occur three days before Eid with an estimated 3,450 people departing through El Tari Airport Kupang,” he said on Saturday (14 March 2026).

As part of preparations for the holiday exodus, the airport has implemented various surveillance and inspection measures, including airport perimeter sweeping, electrical installation compliance checks, and ramp inspections of operational vehicles throughout the airport area. These inspections cover aspects of aviation safety and security, particularly regarding personnel movement on the apron from ground handling companies and airlines.

Throughout the holiday period and return migration, El Tari Airport will remain on 24-hour standby until 30 March 2026. All operational personnel, passenger service staff, Airport Security teams, and airport technicians have been placed on alert to ensure optimal service delivery.

Over the 18-day implementation of the 2026 Eid Transport Command Post, El Tari International Airport is projected to serve approximately 53,763 passengers. The peak outbound exodus is estimated to occur on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 (three days before Eid) with approximately 3,450 passengers, whilst the peak return migration is projected for Saturday, 28 March 2026 (six days after Eid) with approximately 3,819 passengers handled through the airport.