Sleman Regent Welcomes Prabowo's Plan to Reactivate Adi Sutjipto Airport
Sleman Regent Harda Kiswaya has welcomed President Prabowo Subianto’s proposal to reactivate Adi Sutjipto Airport for commercial flight optimisation. He stated that the airport’s presence would improve public access while boosting economic and tourism growth in Sleman Regency and the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).
Harda believes the airport plays a crucial role in driving multiple sectors. Beyond enhancing regional connectivity, it is also seen as vital for supporting community economic activities.
“I’m very pleased. Whatever the case, having an airport will greatly assist economic growth. That’s certain. Other facilitations, social community aspects, as it brings us closer to other regions,” Harda said during an interview in Seyegan, Sleman, on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
He noted that Adi Sutjipto Airport is currently operational but limited to small and medium-sized aircraft. He added that optimising the airport for commercial flights could increase tourist numbers to Yogyakarta.
“With the airport optimised, it will certainly encourage people to visit Yogyakarta due to faster routes. Once closer, people will find it easier to access,” he said.
Harda believes the positive impacts extend beyond tourism to include small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and broader community social life.
“SME growth, social development, in every aspect—knowledge, lifestyle, and more—will be achieved. Social dynamics will truly flourish,” he concluded.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto issued direct instructions to reactivate and commercialise several airports, including Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and Adi Sutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta.
To follow up on the President’s instructions, Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan hosted a working visit from Deputy Minister of National Development Planning/Deputy Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Wamen PPN/Waka Bappenas) Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard at the Deputy Minister’s office in Jakarta on Monday, 25 May 2026, according to detikTravel.
Quoting the Ministry of Defence’s official website, the meeting aimed to discuss coordination for accelerating national strategic programs related to defence asset management, transport infrastructure optimisation, and the development of the national aerospace industry.
Regarding the shared use of the Indonesian Air Force base for commercial civil aviation, the Ministry of Defence confirmed full commitment and regulatory support. Technical challenges regarding apron capacity and flight scheduling will be further coordinated across sectors with the Ministry of Transportation and relevant local governments.
During the discussions, the Deputy Minister stressed the importance of maintaining military operational readiness while supporting regional economic growth through civil aviation. He emphasised the principle of shared use of the airbase facilities.
“We welcome the plan to reopen commercial flights while ensuring the operational readiness and existence of the Air Force in the area remains optimal. The key focus moving forward will be technical arrangements for apron usage and flight scheduling to prevent congestion, ensuring military and civil activities proceed harmoniously, in sync, and without mutual interference,” the Deputy Minister said.
Beyond airport management, the meeting also addressed long-term projections for establishing a macro aerospace industry ecosystem through the Sustainable Aerospace Park concept in Kertajati, combining commercial and military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Both parties agreed to refine the technical blueprint and asset management model, concluding with a commitment to hold more intensive coordination meetings with relevant ministries, the Indonesian Air Force, and provincial governments.