West Java DPRD Urges Balanced Solution for Husein Sastranegara and Kertajati Airports
The West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) supports the plan to reactivate Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung. However, the policy is expected not to sacrifice the operational sustainability of the West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati in Majalengka Regency, which was built with significant investment.
Deputy Speaker of the West Java DPRD, MQ Iswara, stated that the government must ensure both airports can operate in tandem so that the public’s need for air transportation is met without neglecting the province’s strategic assets.
‘We welcome Husein Sastranegara Airport resuming commercial flights. Nevertheless, the government must also ensure BIJB Kertajati remains optimal so that the investment already made is not wasted,’ Iswara said in Bandung on Thursday (2/7/2026).
According to him, BIJB Kertajati is a strategic project that has been championed since 2012, involving land acquisition and the construction of supporting infrastructure. The airport was originally projected to become the main international airport in West Java while also supporting the 2016 National Games (PON XIX).
However, that target was not fully achieved because the construction of BIJB Kertajati and the Cisumdawu Toll Road was not completed on schedule, preventing optimal utilisation.
Iswara assessed that the existence of BIJB Kertajati must be maintained given the enormous investment that has been disbursed. In addition, the airport’s management company still has financing obligations that must be settled.
‘Now BIJB Kertajati is standing and the investment made is very large. The airport management company even still has obligations to pay instalments and interest. Therefore, there must be an appropriate solution for all parties,’ he said.
He added that the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara must be accompanied by a strategy capable of maintaining the operational sustainability of BIJB Kertajati. The DPRD is encouraging a solution that benefits all parties, providing the public with easy access to flights while preserving regional investment.
Currently, various efforts are being made to strengthen BIJB Kertajati’s operations, including hajj flight services, the development of umrah flights, the construction of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and exploring cooperation with the defence sector.
Despite this, the development of umrah flights still faces challenges, particularly the high cost of transportation to BIJB Kertajati, which is considered a burden for travel agencies. Meanwhile, the government has limited capacity to provide subsidies to the private sector.
‘We are still looking for a solution for umrah flights. Hajj is relatively running well, while the MRO is also being explored. The most important thing is that this airport truly operates and provides benefits to the community,’ Iswara said.
He expressed hope that the management of BIJB Kertajati can attract more airlines to open domestic and international routes. According to him, the success of Kertajati is determined not only by the completeness of its infrastructure but also by marketing strategies and the availability of increasingly diverse flight route options.