Amid Ramadan Indonesia reduces Airfares and toll fees

Indonesia, home of world's largest Muslim population, has taken initiative to lower airfares for domestic passengers and reduce toll fees on several major highways during the holy month of Ramadan, reports Xinhua. The nation will begin Ramadan on Saturday (March 1).

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his administration. According to the directions, airfare reductions will be in effect for the next two weeks, while toll fees on several major highways will be lowered during Eid al-Fitr and Bali's Day of Silence (Nyepi), which fall close together this year.

The holy month and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr celebration are closely associated with the homecoming tradition, locally known as mudik, when millions of Indonesians travel to reunite with their families.

The pre-Eid homecoming rush is particularly intense in major cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, where travellers leave by various means of transportation, overwhelming train stations and airports while congesting highways.

The policy is part of the government's efforts to ensure a smooth mudik experience and support the Muslim community in fasting and celebrating the holidays comfortably.