Ministry of Transportation strengthens Lebaran transport through flights at Kualanamu
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Transportation is strengthening Lebaran transport through the optimisation of flights at Kualanamu International Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, to ensure the smooth mobility of passengers during the homecoming and return flows for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
Acting Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation, Endah Purnama Sari, stated that this strengthening is carried out with direct supervision at the airport, ensuring that Lebaran transport runs safely and smoothly.
“Facing the Nyepi and Lebaran holiday period in 2026, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation is conducting air transport supervision activities at Kualanamu International Airport, Medan,” said Endah in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
She conveyed that these steps are taken to maintain flight operations in accordance with safety, security, and optimal service standards.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Medan Region II Airport Authority Office, Asri Santosa, stated that Kualanamu International Airport plays a strategic role in serving public mobility, especially in the North Sumatra region.
“Therefore, supervision is carried out continuously to ensure that all aviation service providers operate in accordance with regulations,” said Asri.
During the activity, Asri noted, the Airworthiness Inspector of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted intensive ramp inspections (safety inspections) on aircraft. A total of 40 aircraft inspections have been recorded.
The inspections are carried out comprehensively, covering verification of aircraft documents, checks on technical conditions and airworthiness, as well as operational readiness of flights.
In addition, officers also ensure the availability and functionality of safety equipment inside the aircraft and check the completeness and validity of the flight crew’s licences.
“These steps aim to ensure that every operating aircraft meets the established safety standards and provides security guarantees for passengers,” he explained.
He mentioned that based on data from the Lebaran Transport Post at Kualanamu International Airport, cumulatively for the period of 16–18 March 2026, there were 509 flight movements, an increase of about 1.2% compared to the same period last year with 503 flights.
Meanwhile, the number of passengers recorded was 75,517 people, an adjustment of about 1.1% compared to the previous year of 76,389 passengers, which still reflects high public mobility through Kualanamu International Airport.
Cargo movements were recorded at 501 tonnes, a decrease of about 28.1% compared to the same period last year of 697 tonnes, with operations remaining stable in supporting logistics distribution during the Lebaran transport period.
During the Lebaran transport period, domestic routes to North Sumatra via Kualanamu International Airport remain one of the main choices for the public to return to their hometowns.
“This is evident from the consistently high passenger movements in recent days,” said Asri.
Overall, flight operations are still running well and are able to accommodate the public’s mobility needs ahead of the peak Lebaran transport flow in 2026.
Asri added that his side will continue to strengthen coordination with all stakeholders, including the TNI, Police, AirNav Indonesia, Immigration, airport operators, and airlines, to ensure that flight operations continue to run safely, securely, and comfortably during the 2026 Lebaran transport period.