The planned reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport has ignited a fresh debate regarding the future of Kertajati Airport in Majalengka and its role as the primary aviation hub for West Java. A direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto to reopen Husein Sastranegara signals a strategic shift, aiming to restore the airport’s role as a vital catalyst for Bandung’s local economy.
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan emphasized the historical significance of the facility, noting that in 2019, the airport handled approximately 3.8 million passengers, split between 3 million domestic travelers and 800,000 international arrivals. “We are eager to restore the glory of Husein Sastranegara Airport and reignite economic growth in Bandung,” Farhan stated on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The mandate followed a visit by President Prabowo to Bandung on May 25, 2026. According to Farhan, the President requested that both Husein Sastranegara and Adi Sucipto Airport in Yogyakarta be reactivated simultaneously to bolster regional economic development. “Shortly after the President’s visit to Bandung, I received word that he issued instructions for the reactivation of both airports,” he explained.
This directive has drawn significant public attention, particularly because most commercial flights from Bandung were previously transitioned to Kertajati Airport. However, persistent complaints from residents and business owners regarding the accessibility and travel time to Kertajati have kept the conversation about Husein Sastranegara alive. Farhan pointed out that the airport never fully ceased operations, as it has continued to serve limited propeller-plane routes between cities in Java.
To prepare for this transition, the Bandung City Government is prioritizing infrastructure improvements to streamline access to the airport. A key focus is upgrading entry and exit points from the Pasteur Toll Road, specifically through the PT Dirgantara Indonesia area and the Air Force complex. Farhan added that the completion of the Nurtanio Overpass will be a critical factor in mitigating traffic congestion for travelers coming from the western and eastern parts of Bandung.
Addressing concerns about the status of Kertajati, Farhan clarified that its development remains under the sole authority of the central government due to its status as a National Strategic Project. He noted that local governments lack the mandate to dictate Kertajati’s future, including potential roles such as serving as an aircraft maintenance and overhaul hub. “All policies regarding Kertajati remain in the hands of the central government,” he affirmed.
Currently, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is conducting a formal feasibility study for the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara. This study includes potential investment frameworks involving central, provincial, and city governments. “We hope that the calculations will begin this year, including determining funding sources and the investment shares for each entity,” Farhan said.
He further suggested that the project might leverage foreign loan schemes, given that the 2026 budget cycle is already well underway. “If foreign loans are utilized, we must clearly define who manages the funds, as whoever holds the authority to use the money also carries the obligation to repay it,” he concluded.
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Summary
President Prabowo Subianto has officially ordered the reactivation of commercial flights at Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung to stimulate the local economy. The decision follows public concerns regarding the travel distance to Kertajati Airport, which had previously replaced most of Bandung’s air traffic. City officials, led by Mayor Muhammad Farhan, are now coordinating infrastructure improvements, including road access upgrades and the completion of the Nurtanio Overpass, to support the airport’s renewed operations.
While Husein Sastranegara prepares for a full return to service, the status of Kertajati Airport remains under the sole authority of the central government as a National Strategic Project. The National Development Planning Agency is currently conducting a feasibility study to finalize investment frameworks and funding models for the reactivation. The project may utilize foreign loans to accelerate implementation, with the local government focusing on easing traffic congestion and restoring the airport’s historical role as a key regional aviation hub.