Indonesia’s West Java provincial government has proposed transforming Kertajati International Airport into a national defense industry hub, repurposing the underused airport to support military aviation, JakartaGlobe has reported.
Under the plan, Kertajati Airport in Majalengka would become a center for defense-related military aircraft operations, aircraft assembly, and facilities for state-owned defense companies.
The proposal would bring together the country’s state-owned aerospace companies Dirgantara Indonesia and Pindad, producing military vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.
At the same time, Husein Sastranegara Airport in nearby Bandung would resume its role as the region’s primary commercial airport.
Indonesia’s Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, said the central government supports the proposal and is working with the provincial administration to redefine the roles of the two airports.
According to the minister, the aim is to maximize both the strategic value of Kertajati and the commercial potential of Husein Sastranegara.
Kertajati Airport
Kertajati International Airport, also known as West Java International Airport, opened in 2018 to serve Indonesia’s most heavily populated province, home to over 50 million people.
Built with one of the country’s longest runways, it was designed to accommodate millions of passengers each year.
Located about 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Bandung, the capital of West Java, Kertajati was built to relieve pressure on the city’s airport and become the province’s main aviation gateway.
Although the completion of the Cisumdawu Toll Road improved road access, passenger numbers have remained below expectations, prompting authorities to explore alternative long-term uses for the facility.
