Four Days Before Eid, Check-In Areas and Departure Lounges at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Crowded with Passengers
TANGERANG — Activity among prospective passengers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport began to increase four days before Eid al-Fitr 2026, on Monday 16 March 2026.
Departure areas across several terminals were crowded with passengers intending to return to their hometowns, including Terminal 3 Departure. According to observations, prospective passengers queued at check-in areas and security checkpoints. Many carried large suitcases and boxes containing gifts for families back home.
Congestion was also evident in the departure lounge, where passengers sat in rows awaiting their flight schedules. Many among them travelled with family members.
One traveller, Nuri (35), was departing from Jakarta to Singkawang to celebrate Eid with family. “I booked the ticket well in advance,” said Nuri when met at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Monday.
Nuri deliberately purchased tickets early to avoid shortages. According to her, aircraft ticket prices typically surge significantly when booked closer to departure. She and her family therefore arranged their Singkawang flight tickets beforehand. The tickets she obtained cost approximately Rp 1.5 million. However, that price could double if booked closer to Eid.
Meanwhile, Yudistiawan, Assistant Deputy Communication & Legal of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia at Soekarno-Hatta Airport branch, stated that there were over one thousand flights scheduled that day.
Total scheduled flights at Soekarno-Hatta Airport that day reached 1,146 with approximately 167,602 passengers. “Total domestic flight plans comprised 899 flights with 125,443 passengers, whilst international flights totalled 247 with 42,159 passengers,” said Yudistiawan.
From this total, domestic passenger movements still dominated, reflecting increased public mobility heading to various regions across Indonesia for the holiday. Passenger congestion was visible during several peak hours at various terminals, particularly from morning until afternoon when many domestic flights departed.
Airport management urged prospective passengers to arrive at the airport earlier to anticipate long queues during the Eid travel period.