The surge in travelers to the Wild Air Balloon is a concern for the Ministry of Transportation in the Arus Balik Lebaran

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) is paying attention to the potential for a surge in the 2026 Lebaran return flow, which is expected to increase after the Ketupat Lebaran celebration on March 28, including the risk of flight safety disruptions due to wild air balloons.

Head of the Ministry of Transportation's Communication and Information Bureau, Ernita Titis Dewi, said the peak of the return flow was predicted to occur on March 24, 28, and 29, 2026, with a concentration of movement on weekends before the end of the holiday period on March 30.

"Community movements tend to gather in a relatively short time. This needs to be anticipated because it has the potential to cause congestion on major roads, both toll roads and arteries, as well as at transport nodes," Titis said in an official statement, Friday, March 27.

In addition to land routes, Titis continued, crossing nodes such as Bakauheni and Ketapang are crucial points that have the potential to experience a surge in vehicles and passengers if they are not balanced with good travel time arrangements by the community.

To anticipate the density at Ketapang Port, the Ministry of Transportation has prepared a strategy in the form of optimizing the buffer zone and delaying the system to break down the vehicle queue.

A buffer zone for four-wheeled vehicles and buses is prepared in the Gran Watudodol area and the Bulusan Parking Pocket, while goods vehicles are directed to the Sri Tanjung buffer zone and the PT Pusri and Pelindo parking pockets.

In addition, the number of ships will also be increased according to conditions in the field. In normal situations, as many as 28 ships operate, increasing to 30 ships during crowded conditions, and up to 32 ships when there is a very high spike.

The Ministry of Transportation, together with the Police, local governments, and transportation operators, has also prepared various control scenarios, ranging from traffic management based on field conditions to optimizing the capacity of crossing transportation and strengthening operational services at ports.

Supervision is carried out intensively to ensure that travel safety is maintained, including in terms of the safety of transportation facilities and the readiness of personnel in the field.

However, Titis emphasized that the effectiveness of controlling the flow of return depends very much on the participation of the community in regulating travel time.

"We appeal to the public not to travel together at peak times. Arranging departure schedules, maintaining physical condition, and ensuring vehicles are in good condition are important factors in supporting the smooth flow of the return flow," he said.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Transportation also reminded the potential for flight safety disruptions due to the proliferation of air balloon activities during Lebaran Ketupat.

Wild air balloons are considered risky to enter the flight airspace and endanger aircraft.

"Wildly flown air balloons can enter the flight airspace and endanger the safety of the aircraft. This risk is real and must be a shared concern," said Titis.

The Ministry of Transportation emphasized that balloon activities are only allowed if they meet safety requirements, such as being flown in a tethered manner, not interfering with flight paths, and being under the supervision of the relevant authorities.

Violations of these rules may be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable provisions.

Through this momentum of the return flow, the Ministry of Transportation again emphasizes the importance of safety as the main priority in the implementation of transportation.

"We continue to work to ensure that people's journeys are safe and smooth. However, discipline and public awareness in following the rules and appeals are the key to our success together," concluded Titis.