JAKARTA – The Indonesian government has officially announced the schedule for joint leave and holidays in conjunction with Eid al-Fitr 2025 via a Joint Decree (SKB) from three ministers. This decree, signed by the Minister of Religion, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, stipulates a total of 19 days of joint leave, which applies universally to students, civil servants (ASN), and private employees.
As Muslims prepare to begin fasting on March 1, 2025, Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place on March 31, 2025, contingent on the sighting of the moon. With the approach of these significant dates, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwadgandhi has announced that the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy for ASN will come into effect starting March 24, 2025. This initiative is introduced ahead of Nyepi Day, which also falls on March 29 and March 31, to facilitate a smoother transition for ASN in preparation for the festivities without compromising work productivity.
The WFA regulation is aimed at easing the flow of travelers, allowing them to commence their journeys as early as the evening of March 21, 2025. The hope is that this shift will help in dispersing the crowd during the homecoming journey ahead of the holiday. “The concept is to alleviate congestion during the exodus, enabling travelers to hit the road starting March 21 evening,” said Dudy Purwadgandhi.
In line with this announcement, the school holidays are set from March 21 to March 27, 2025. Furthermore, a joint leave day is designated for Nyepi Day on March 28, followed by the weekend on March 30, and the two days of Eid al-Fitr holidays on March 31 and April 1, 2025. This comprehensive schedule is tailored to accommodate the vast number of individuals traveling during the holiday season.
In parallel, Garuda Indonesia, the national airline, reported significant movement in the homecoming traffic during the initial week of Lebaran in 2025, with 25,000 passengers having left Jakarta, marking a 21 percent increase compared to the previous week. Dicky Irchamsyah, head of Corporate Communications for PT Garuda Indonesia, mentioned that the peak travel period is anticipated to occur on March 28, 2025, and the return flow is expected to begin on April 6, 2025.
“This influx reflects a significant rise in passenger traffic compared to last weekend,” Irchamsyah said. Garuda Indonesia has prepared 1.9 million flight seats to accommodate the rising demand, as well as an increase in flight frequency, totaling 10,906 flights throughout the Lebaran period.
Adding to travel preparation, Garuda announced operational readiness, having deployed 43 Boeing 737 aircraft for domestic routes, along with 11 Airbus 330s and 7 Boeing 747s for international routes. Citilink, a subsidiary of Garuda, has prepared an additional 902,830 flight seats.
To ensure smooth operations amidst potential disruptions, these measures emphasize the importance of their operations center to maintain punctuality. “We prioritize on-time performance as the first delay can impact subsequent flights significantly,” said Ade R. Susardi, the Commercial Director at Garuda Indonesia, during a press conference held by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises on March 6, 2025.
The regional police have also ramped up their preparations for the homecoming flow. Operation Ketupat 2025 commenced on March 23, 2025, covering eight police regions from Java to Bali. Irjen Agus Suryonugroho, the National Police’s Traffic Corps Chief, expressed optimism that the peak travel period could be effectively managed. During a site visit to the Jakarta-Merak Toll Road, he remarked on the advantages of the WFA policy in easing traffic congestion, highlighting a nearly 23 percent increase in early travelers.
“This work-from-anywhere policy significantly affects early homecoming travelers, helping manage the peak on the 28th,” noted Irjen Agus, who also detailed ongoing restrictions regarding three-axle vehicles due to take effect at midnight on March 24, 2025. This decision comes alongside various scenarios crafted to handle traffic density, including a contra-flow system and a nationwide one-way route on peak days.
On the local front, Sukabumi City Police are also keenly collaborating to ensure that travelers remain safe and comfortable. The city’s Operation Ketupat Lodaya 2025 officially began concurrently with the larger operation on March 23, deploying 433 security personnel at strategic locations including a central integrated post and 13 security posts across the city.
AKP Astuti Setyaningsih, from Sukabumi City Police, assured the public of ongoing monitoring of traffic situations to ensure the safety and comfort of all travelers. “Our commitment is to maintain a secure and smooth traffic flow during this homecoming season,” she stated.
The synchronized efforts are evidently designed to promote a seamless travel experience during this festive period. With arrangements being made for effective crowd management and transport logistics, the Indonesian authorities are determined to honor the cultural significance of Lebaran while ensuring public safety.
As the festivities approach, travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly, recognizing the significance of these adjustments made to accommodate holiday travels. The upcoming weeks promise to be busy on the roads and in the skies, illuminating the traditions that accompany this cherished holiday.
