Husein and Adisutjipto Airports: From Retirement to Revival

Government plans to reopen two airports for commercial flights after years of limited operation. The two airports are Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and Adisutjipto Airport in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The announcement was made by the Ministry of Defence following President Prabowo Subianto’s directive. “We welcome the plan to reopen commercial flights,” said Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan this week. Looking back, both airports have a long history of service with several status changes. Husein Sastranegara Airport, for instance, began as a Dutch-era airfield before serving as an AURI/TNI AU base. It was later opened for commercial flights in the 1970s. Meanwhile, Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta was initially built as a military airbase called Maguwo but evolved into a joint civilian-military airport (civil enclave). For years, Husein Sastranegara Airport served as a key air transport hub in West Java. Its central location in Bandung made it a preferred choice for locals and nearby residents to travel across Indonesia, with quick access to departure terminals compared to airports outside the city. According to a 2019 Kompas.com report, Husein Sastranegara previously handled dozens of domestic flights daily before being gradually shifted to Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java. The operational transition was completed by 1 July 2019, with a total of 56 flights moved to Kertajati, comprising 28 take-offs and landings. Initially, six airlines began operating commercial flights at Kertajati: Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, Air Asia, Xpress Air, and NAM Air. This shift also extended Kertajati Airport’s operational hours until 21:00 WIB. Before the operation of Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) in Kulon Progo, Central Java, Adisutjipto was Yogyakarta’s primary airport and the gateway for tourists and business travellers to the city.