Fewer passengers leave city by plane

JAKARTA (JP): The outflow of city residents via airlines at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as of Tuesday, seven days ahead of the Idul Fitri celebration, has fallen by 40 percent from last year's number, an official said on Wednesday.

Without giving details, Miskul Firdaus, president of state- owned airport management company PT Angkasa Pura II, attributed the sharp drop to hardship caused by the prolonged economic crisis.

Despite the drop in the number of passengers, Miskul said that his company still intensified its cooperation with the airlines.

"Close cooperation is vital to anticipate any sudden surge in the number of passengers," he said.

Besides traveling by plane, thousands of holidaymakers have left the city for their home towns via bus terminals, harbors and railway stations in the annual exodus. (41/ylt)