Soaring domestic ticket prices push travelers to explore cross-border travel alternatives
As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, residents in Batam are turning to Malaysia and Singapore as alternative travel routes for their annual homecoming, with many citing cheaper airfares and better availability compared to domestic flights within Indonesia.
Just eight days before Eid, domestic flights from Batam to key destinations like Padang and Pekanbaru were already sold out. Trisna, a Batam Center resident, shared her frustration after failing to secure a ticket despite checking daily. Prices for domestic routes like Batam–Padang reached up to IDR 1.5 million (approx. SGD 125), with no signs of additional flights being added by local carriers.
Malaysia and Singapore: A Cheaper Alternative
After exploring other options, Trisna managed to secure a ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Padang for just IDR 800,000 (approx. SGD 67), significantly lower than direct domestic routes. Although she spent an additional IDR 575,000 (approx. SGD 48) on a return flight between Batam and Kuala Lumpur, the total cost was still more affordable. Other residents echoed similar stories, flying through Johor Bahru or Singapore to cities like Jakarta and Sulawesi, saving up to IDR 2 million (approx. SGD 166) per person.
The shortage of domestic flights has also driven a surge in sea travel. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) in Batam anticipates a 15% increase in ferry passengers, especially on routes to Jambi, Riau, and Bintan. General Manager Hermin Welkis assured that ticket prices will remain unchanged and encouraged passengers to use the Ferizy app to avoid long queues. PT PELNI also reported a 110% increase in sea passengers, preparing additional vessels to serve routes like Batam–Belawan and Balikpapan–Surabaya.
Government Response and Public Concern
To ease the burden of holiday travel, the Indonesian government is considering transport subsidies, including a potential 10% discount on airfares similar to past festive seasons. Travelers are urging swift action, arguing that domestic travel should not cost more than international routes of similar or longer distances. “It doesn’t make sense for local flights to be more expensive than those from abroad,” said Bagas, who saved around IDR 3.5 million (approx. SGD 291) by flying his family of five through Malaysia.
This travel pattern shift could influence both tourism and economic flows. While Singapore and Malaysia benefit from increased foot traffic and flight bookings, Indonesia’s domestic tourism and transportation sectors may feel the pinch. Stakeholders hope this annual travel crunch will prompt long-term improvements in affordability and accessibility of local air travel.
The growing number of Batam residents opting for international routes to return home highlights the urgent need for more accessible and affordable domestic travel options. While this shift offers short-term savings for travelers and economic boosts for neighboring countries, it also raises questions about Indonesia’s internal transport infrastructure. Improving affordability and availability of flights could help retain domestic travel demand and strengthen national connectivity in the long term.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025), Media Indonesia (2025)
Keywords: Batam Flights, Malaysia Route, Singapore Flights, Eid Homecoming
