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KERTAJATI Airport or West Java International Airport Kertajati is rumored to be sold to foreign parties. Most recently, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi is said to have received a report from the Ministry of Transportation regarding the plan.
According to the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, said a number of companies from Saudi Arabia, India, to Singapore will be offered to buy Kertajati Airport. Jokowi instructed me to immediately execute the plan. The President also reminded me that there are regulations that must be adhered to.
“I met several times with the Governor of West Java (Ridwan Kamil) to discuss this so that there are no violations,” Budi said when met after a meeting with Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday, March 24, 2023.
Kertajati Airport was built with an investment of tens of trillions of rupiah. Even so, this airport was in the spotlight because of the lack of passengers. Last December, Budi said there were a number of parties interested in buying shares in Kertajati Airport. By selling shares, it is hoped that airport connectivity will increase.
“With the hope that there will be special interest from the international community, so that Kertajati’s connectivity will increase,” said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi at the Ministry of Transportation Office, Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
A number of Kertajati Airport Routes
So far Kertajati Airport has opened 12 flight routes and one international flight. It is planned that in early March the airport can operate with the route. This was revealed by the Vice President of Kertajati Airport’s Corporate Secretary and General Administration, Dian Nurahhman.
The 12 domestic flight routes cover a number of regions, namely Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali and East Nusa Tenggara or NTT. While one international flight, starting March 2023, was opened for Umrah and Hajj routes to Saudi Arabia. Dian revealed, the airport was quiet during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation gradually improved, flight normalization was restarted.
“Kertajati Airport is preparing to re-operate 12 domestic flight routes and 1 international flight,” said Dian.
The following is a list of 12 domestic flight routes at Kertajati Airport: (1). Kertajati-Kualanamu, Medan, (2). Kertajati-Palembang, (3). Kertajati-Padang, (4). Kertajati-Pekanbaru, (5). Kertajati-Kepri, (6). Kertajati-Batam, (7). Kertajati-Pontianak, (8). Kertajati-Banjarmasin, (9). Kertajati-Balikpapan, (10). Kertajati-Surabaya, (11). Kertajati-Denpasar, Bali, (12). Kertajati-Lombok.
Meanwhile, international flights are still limited to the Kertajati Airport – Jeddah route, Saudi Arabia to serve Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Kertajati Airport serves Umrah and Hajj flights for residents of West Java including Indramayu, Majalengka, Cirebon, Kuningan, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, Pangandaran to Garut. As well as the Central Java region including Batang, Tegal, Brebes to Banyumas and Cilacap.
“We have coordinated with Husein Sastranegara Airport Bandung to prepare for the opening of domestic and international flight routes at Kertajati Airport,” Dian concluded. [sources/photo special]
