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Garuda Indonesia Tops 2026 Lebaran Homecoming for Punctuality

The Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran) homecoming season is one of the key moments in Indonesia’s economic landscape, as many people travel back to their hometowns during this period. In response to this phenomenon, Jakpat conducted a survey to understand public perceptions regarding airline choices during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming.

The report is based on responses from 338 passengers on domestic flights in the past 6 months who traveled for the Lebaran homecoming in 2026. They are the decision-makers in choosing which airline to use.

While the majority of travelers (70%) still rely on private vehicles, airplanes remain the top choice (61%) for those opting for public transportation. Meanwhile, other respondents used public transport modes such as trains (36%) and buses (31%).

Domestic Flight Consumer Behavior

Jakpat inquired about airline preferences for domestic flights. The results show that Garuda Indonesia is the most widely recognized, with 87% of respondents being aware of it. Of that number, 46% have used it in the last 6 months, and 38% in the last 3 months. Two other airlines that are also widely known by the public are Lion Air (86%) and Citilink (81%).

During the 2026 Lebaran homecoming season, Garuda Indonesia and Citilink were in a tight race as market leaders, both reaching a usage rate of 39%. Following them, the most chosen airlines by travelers were Lion Air (38%), Batik Air (29%), and AirAsia (21%).

Regarding future homecoming plans, passenger preferences tend to remain stable. A total of 58% of respondents intend to use Garuda Indonesia for the next Lebaran holiday, followed by Citilink (51%) and Batik Air (43%).

Considerations for Choosing an Airline

There are several determining factors in choosing an airline for the 2026 Lebaran homecoming. 84% of respondents emphasized the importance of safety and security during flights. Additionally, punctuality (82%) and economical ticket prices (80%) were also primary considerations.

“Punctuality consistently remains a very important factor for airline users. However, in practice, this is still often not met, especially evident from the high incidence of flight delays during the Lebaran homecoming season,” said Aska Primardi, Head of Research at Jakpat.

Jakpat compared the brand image of three Indonesian airlines based on passenger perceptions of the top three aspects. The results show Garuda Indonesia leads in schedule punctuality (70%) as well as safety and security (49%). Meanwhile, Lion Air dominates the affordable price category (66%).

“For the punctuality attribute, Garuda Indonesia’s brand image is still superior to its competitors. This indicates that Garuda Indonesia is still perceived as the best airline in terms of punctuality, while also having a strong association with safety and comfort. It is this combination of perceptions that drives Garuda Indonesia to be the top choice during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period and for future use,” Aska concluded.