Rise in Ferry and Train Passengers as Air Travel Declines

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has reported that passenger numbers across several modes of transport increased in August 2026 compared to the same period last year. The most significant growth was seen in ferry services (ASDP), while air transport recorded a decline in passenger numbers.

Ateng Hartono, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, stated that the number of ferry passengers in August 202cap reached 4.66 million people, representing a 20.13% year-on-year increase. “The highest increase occurred in ferry transport, which grew by 20.13% compared to August last year,” Ateng said during a BPS press conference on Thursday (1/10/2026).

In addition to ferry services, domestic sea transport passenger numbers also rose. In August 2026, the number of sea vessel passengers reached 2.70 million, an 8.09% increase compared to August 2025.

Meanwhile, rail transport remains the most widely used mode of transport by the public. BPS recorded the number of train passengers reaching 48.32 million in August 2026, a 6.01% increase compared to the same period last year.

On the other hand, air transport experienced a slowdown. Domestic flight passenger numbers were recorded at 4.84 million, a 4.61% annual decrease. International flight passenger numbers also saw a decline, albeit a relatively slim one, with 1.91 million international passengers recorded in August 2026, down 0.75% from August last year.

Beyond passenger movement, BPS also noted an increase in freight transport activity across several modes of transport. The volume of goods transported via domestic sea transport reached 46.93 million tonnes in August 2026, up 7.66% compared to the same period last year. This increase indicates that goods distribution via sea routes continues to strengthen.

Freight transport by rail also experienced growth, with the volume of goods transported reaching 6.75 million tonnes, a 5.48% annual increase. Conversely, domestic air freight experienced a contraction. BPS noted that the volume of goods transported via domestic aircraft reached only 49,000 tonnes, a 7.66% decrease compared to August 2025.

This data shows that the movement of people and logistics distribution via land, sea, and ferry transport continues to grow positively, while the aviation sector still faces pressure in terms of both passengers and freight. This is likely influenced by the sharp increase in airfares due to rising aviation fuel (avtur) prices.