Kertajati Internasional Airport is a new airport located in Majalengka Regency. Officially opened on May 24, 2018, Kertajati Airport is set to commence full operations in October 2023. To date, Kertajati Airport has already served international flights, including four weekly Umrah flights and a Kuala Lumpur-Kertajati route operating twice a week.
1. The Second Largest Airport in Indonesia.
Kertajati Airport, also known as West Java International Airport, is located in Majalengka, West Java. Kertajati Airport is the second-largest airport in Indonesia in terms of land area, following Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. It is built on a vast 1,800-hectare site, featuring two runways, a passenger terminal spanning 121,000 square meters, and a cargo terminal covering 90,000 square meters.
Initially, the airport was equipped with a 2,500-meter runway, which was later expanded to 3,000 meters in 2019. Its purpose extends beyond being a primary airport; it also serves to alleviate air traffic congestion at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The extensive runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.
With its substantial capacity capable of handling up to 11 million passengers, Kertajati Internasional Airport is designed to support the growth of air traffic in the region. Its primary goal is to facilitate international flight routes in the metropolitan areas of Bandung and Cirebon.
2. Local Wisdom in Building Architecture.
The architectural design of Kertajati Airport reflects the cultural richness of West Java, drawing inspiration from the peacock, which is the icon of the province, and applying it to the shape of the main terminal’s roof. The unique form of this roof is constructed using a wide-span space frame structure and membrane materials. Furthermore, the interior aesthetics of the airport also reference the local wisdom of West Javanese culture, particularly in Majalengka, providing a strong local ambiance.
3. It had been planned since the era of the 5th President.
Although Kertajati International Airport began its operations on May 24, 2018, it had actually been planned during the era of President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s leadership. Feasibility studies and location determination for this airport had been conducted in 2003 and 2005. Despite the readiness of the West Java Provincial Government to finance the project through regional revenue and expenditure (APBD), construction did not commence until 2011.
Upon further review, it was found that the construction of Kertajati Airport required funds from the State Budget (APBN). During this seven-year period, there was no physical activity as the location designation permit had expired due to delays in project implementation. The construction process only began in 2014 with land clearance and foundation preparation. Kertajati Airport was also included in the National Strategic Program (PSN), and its construction from 2015 to 2017 was funded by the Ministry of Transportation.
4. It was temporarily non-operational
Since its opening by President Jokowi in 2018, Kertajati Internasional Airport has faced criticism from passengers due to low passenger numbers and limited activities. Some airlines even withdrew from the airport, leading to the suspension of regular flight services in July 2019. The lack of air connections to popular destinations and the limited options for domestic and international flights have also been obstacles to the growth of air traffic at the airport.
Furthermore, the slow development of supporting infrastructure such as the Cisumdawu toll road, which serves as the main access route to Kertajati Airport, has also affected its utilization. The lack of efficient ground connectivity has made it difficult for passengers to reach the airport easily, leading many prospective travelers to prefer Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, which offers better accessibility.
However, the government later planned to use Kertajati Airport as a departure point for Hajj pilgrims, a cargo hub, and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility. In May 2023, the airport was once again used for Hajj departures, with a primary focus on pilgrims from the Cirebon Raya region. Nonetheless, Hajj departures from other regions are still conducted through Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Currently, Kertajati Airport has resumed operations and serves several international flights, including four weekly Umrah flights and two weekly Kuala Lumpur-Kertajati routes.
5. Operational Again and Emerging as a Potential Airport
With the opening of the Cisumdawu toll road in July 2023, accessibility to this airport has significantly improved. This toll road has reduced the travel time from Bandung to Kertajati Airport to approximately 45 minutes, a drastic decrease from the previous 2 hours and 30 minutes. With this ease of access, it is expected that the number of passengers using Kertajati Airport will increase.
Furthermore, President Jokowi has announced plans to gradually shift full operations from Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung to Kertajati Airport. This transition will begin next October and is targeted to be completed within a maximum of one year. The relocation plan encompasses not only jet aircraft flights but also propeller aircraft. As a result, the number of routes and flight frequencies at Kertajati Airport is expected to increase significantly, making it a potential primary hub for air transportation in the West Java region and its vicinity, especially kertajati transport to Bandung
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