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Jakarta. Despite the growing number of flights suspended due to Mount Merapi’s eruptions, a Transportation Ministry official said he was optimistic that the total number of domestic air passengers would reach this year’s 15 percent growth target.

An estimated 48.18 million domestic and 5.45 million international passengers are expected to pass through Indonesia’s airports by the end of this year, according to the ministry. That’s up from last year’s 43.8 million domestic and 4.96 million domestic travelers.

“There has been some disruption, particularly in three airports [affected by Merapi’s eruption], but we are still optimistic the growth target will be achieved,” said Herry Bakti S Gumay, director general of air transportation for the ministry.

Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto International Airport has been closed to traffic since Friday, following Merapi’s massive blast overnight on Thursday.

In addition, Ahmad Yani Internatioanl Airport in Semarang and Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Solo closed for two days.

But Tengku Burhanuddin, the secretary general of the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (Inaca), said the volcanic activity would not affect passenger growth this year.

He said less than 1 percent of the year’s total Yogyakarta-bound passengers would experience flight disruptions.

“The suspended flights to Yogyakarta will not effect the target,” he said.

High demand and government support, including the opening of new routes, could be counted on to boost growth, Tengku said.

This year, Lion Air opened five new routes and state flag carrier Garuda opened 10. In addition, many airlines have received new and larger planes this year, lifting their passenger capacity.

Sustained economic growth has also boosted travel demand, Tengku said.