TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of air passengers in 15 airports under the management of Angkasa Pura I or AP I soared by 47.2 percent to 2.9 million people in October, compared to the previous month, following the relaxation of the public mobility restrictions or PPKM.

“After the end of the Emergency PPKM in July 2021, the air traffic continues to grow. The easing of air travel requirements since September and October has led to the increasing flight traffic,” said AP I President Director Faik Fahmi in his statement, Tuesday, November 9.

The surge in passenger numbers was followed by an increase in air traffic by 31.4 percent from 23,379 to 30,730 flights in October 2021.

The highest figure was recorded at Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin Airport with 664,514 passengers, followed by Juanda Airport in Surabaya with 570,487 passengers and I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali with 464,840 passengers.

AP I calculated that the average number of passengers reached 92,284 per day. Despite the growth, the figure has not yet matched the average daily traffic before the enforcement of Emergency PPKM, especially from May 18 to July 2, 2021.

“The average daily passenger traffic at that time reached 119,845 per day,” Faik added.

AP I also recorded an increase in the cargo flights by 9.6 percent throughout October 2021 with a total haul of 39,000 tons.

Read: Angkasa Pura I Serves 1.7mn Passengers in 15 Airports

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA