REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The transportation minister has predicted that the flow of travelers returning after celebrating the Eid or Lebaran holidays in their hometowns will peak seven days after (D+7) the festival.

"All travelers, in fact, have tickets for their return from their hometowns. The reverse flow of travelers who will use means of land transportation is predicted to take place on July 24 or 25," Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan said here on Friday (17/7).

He added that the flow of Eid travelers this year had been more systematic as compared to that in previous years, including the flow of traffic at Merak Ferry Port and Gili Manuk Port. The headway was reduced to only 45 minutes.

According to Jonan, railway services have improved considerably, as have facilities offered to passengers at airports.

However, bus stations did not have a heavy flow of passengers. This could be because Eid travelers were offered several free ride programs by government agencies, state companies and private firms, the minister explained.

Referring to the temporary closure of several airports in Central Java due to the eruption of Mount Raung, Jonan said he cannot ascertain when the airports will be reopened.

"We cannot specify when the airports can resume operations as it largely depends on the conditions of the volcano," he pointed out.

However, Surabya's Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo, East Java, which was one of the airports that was forced to shut down temporarily, was reopened at 9 a.m. on Friday, after being closed for nearly 20 hours.

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