Bandung. The West Java provincial government plans to transform Kertajati International Airport into a national defense industry hub, shifting its focus away from commercial aviation as flights return to Bandung's Husein Sastranegara Airport.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi said the proposal has been discussed with President Prabowo Subianto and would position Kertajati Airport in Majalengka as the center of Indonesia's domestic defense manufacturing ecosystem.

"We hope Kertajati Airport will become the center of the national defense industry," Dedi told reporters on Wednesday.

Under the plan, the airport would support military aircraft operations and aircraft assembly while serving as a base for state-owned defense companies, including Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), the country's aircraft manufacturer, and weapons producer Pindad.

"We hope all domestic defense industries, including Dirgantara Indonesia and Pindad, will be centered in Kertajati, while Husein will focus on commercial flights," Dedi said.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the central government supports the proposal and is coordinating with the provincial administration to redefine the roles of the two airports.

He said the government aims to ensure that Kertajati's new function and the reopening of Husein Sastranegara for commercial flights will maximize both economic and strategic benefits for the region.

"Whatever the regional government hopes to achieve for Kertajati Airport, we will support it," Dudy said.

Seeking a New Role
Kertajati International Airport, officially known as West Java International Airport, opened in 2018 and was envisioned as a major aviation gateway for Indonesia's most populous province. The airport features one of the country's longest runways and was designed to eventually handle millions of passengers annually.

However, the airport has struggled to attract airlines and passengers because of its distance from Bandung—the provincial capital located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) away—and limited ground transportation links. Efforts to divert commercial flights from Bandung to Kertajati produced only modest results, with many travelers preferring the closer Husein Sastranegara Airport.

The airport's prospects improved after the completion of the Cisumdawu Toll Road, which significantly shortened travel time from Bandung, but passenger traffic has remained below initial expectations.