New strategy to boost Kertajati Airport operations

This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.

Investor Daily - Jurus terbaru pacu operasionalisasi Bandara Kertajati

13 January 2025

By Heru Febrianto

Jakarta, ID – The Government is actively promoting the development of West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati in Majalengka, West Java. Various strategies have been devised to optimise the airport, which has an investment of Rp2.7 trillion.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi is actively working to enhance Kertajati Airport, aiming to improve connectivity and services for the public. He emphasised this commitment during his visit to the airport on Thursday (9/1) to review its development.

Transportation Minister Dudy is optimistic about the development of Kertajati Airport, given its considerable potential. "Kertajati Airport has great potential. The Transportation Ministry is committed to supporting all efforts to advance its development," he stated in a press release in Jakarta on Friday(10/1/2025).

In 2024, Kertajati Airport handled 413,240 passengers. Of these, 82.8% were domestic flights and 17.2% were international flights. This figure is three times higher than the 2023 total of 135,535 passengers.

In 2024, the total number of flights reached 3,411, marking a 158% increase compared to the 1,323 flights in 2023. The majority of these flights were domestic, primarily connecting to and from Denpasar, Medan, and Balikpapan.

"We are inviting airlines to open routes and serve routine flights to and from Kertajati Airport. The airport will also be developed optimally," the Transportation Minister stated.

There are four main strategies for developing Kertajati Airport. The first strategy focuses on optimising the 1,800-hectare airport area. This will be achieved by installing integrated strategic facilities through a single transportation mode system known as APMS. The integration will connect the terminal building, a mixed-use commercial area, an e-commerce hub, and the Kertajati Aircraft Maintenance Centre (KAMC).

The second strategy involves developing a 21.9-hectare area for mixed-use commercial purposes. These non-aeronautic facilities will support airport activities and include hotels, spaces for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE), a leisure mall, a parking building, and other amenities.

The third strategy focuses on establishing an e-commerce hub to serve as a cargo logistics centre. This area will span 68.4 hectares and have the capacity to handle 500,000 tonnes of cargo annually. To boost cargo activities, Kertajati Airport will offer incentives such as reduced warehousing and air cargo tariffs. Additionally, the airport plans to increase flight routes and frequency, along with providing trucking incentives.

The fourth strategy involves developing the Kertajati Aircraft Maintenance Centre (KAMC) on an 84.2-hectare site. The KAMC will house Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. According to data from the Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation Directorate, 46% of Indonesian aircraft still conduct MRO activities abroad. This indicates a substantial market opportunity to establish MRO facilities at Kertajati.

Kertajati Airport plans to take several steps to boost passenger numbers and increase flights. These initiatives include rebranding the airport through promotional activities and bundled offers, optimising its role as an embarkation point for umrah and hajj pilgrims, and providing incentives for airlines to launch new routes.

Open hajj flights

Previously, Acting West Java Governor Bey Triadi Machmudin confirmed that Kertajati Airport will officially serve as an embarkation point for hajj and umrah pilgrims starting in January 2025.

Bey also announced that the airport in Majalengka Regency will become an official departure and arrival point for umrah pilgrims from both West Java and Central Java.

Bey Machmudin stated, as reported by Antara, "The regional office confirmed that Kertajati can continue to operate as an international airport, supported by hajj departures. Additionally, umrah pilgrimages will also begin departing from Kertajati. Inshallah (God willing), this will start in January."

To ensure this, Bey emphasised the need to optimise and enhance services at hajj dormitories, particularly at the Indramayu Hajj Dormitory, which is located near the airport.

"With the commitment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in West Java, we are optimistic that everything will proceed smoothly. We are prepared to offer support as needed by the Ministry. Our goal is to ensure that the dormitories, roads, and mosques are well-organised to provide comfort for the pilgrims. In the future, these facilities can also be utilised for activities beyond hajj pilgrimages," he stated.

Ajam Mustajam, Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, also confirmed that Kertajati Airport will serve as a departure and arrival point for hajj pilgrims. Additionally, preparations are underway to ready the Indramayu Hajj Dormitory for this purpose.

"Inshallah, in 2025, the Indramayu Hajj Dormitory and Kertajati Airport will facilitate the departure of all hajj pilgrims from West Java through Kertajati Airport, organised into 60 batches," stated Ajam.

Ajam expressed gratitude to the West Java Provincial Government for its support of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in ensuring the success of hajj pilgrimages. This support includes providing a grant of Rp18 billion for the Indramayu Hajj Dormitory.

In 2024, the Indramayu Hajj Dormitory was upgraded with three new buildings to improve services for hajj pilgrims. In 2025, plans include constructing a fourth building, as well as adding a kitchen and a health clinic.

"During the 2024 hajj season, West Java had a quota of 38,260 pilgrims, organised into 93 batches. Some of these batches departed from Kertajati Airport in Majalengka," he added.

Regional government support needed

Aviation expert Gatot Rahardjo noted that Kertajati Airport has potential for growth if regional governments prioritise development efforts in the Kertajati area.

"For instance, establishing economic activity centers around Kertajati, such as hotels, shopping centers, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), could boost the area’s vitality. These initiatives should be led by the regional governments surrounding Kertajati Airport," he explained to Investor Daily.​

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