Global Connectivity In The Tambourine Area Is More Open Thanks To Kertajati Airport

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Chief Executive of the Tambourine Area Management Agency, Bernardus Djonoputro, said that the transfer of flights from Husein Sastranegara Airport to BIJB Kertajati, opened global connectivity to the West Java Pantura area.

"BIJB Kertajati, an international standard airport in West Java, will become an important transportation hub for the local community and the development of the Tambourine Area. This will change the face of West Java to a global connectivity level," said Bernardus in Bandung, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, October 25.

Bernardus is optimistic that the public as prospective passengers and investors will welcome the flight of the jet engine which will start at BIJB Kertajati on October 29, 2023.

There are seven jet flight routes that have moved from Husein Airport to Kertajati Airport, namely flights to and from Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Batam, Denpasar, Makassar, Medan, and Palembang.

The airlines serving flights there are AirAsia, Super Air Jet, and Citilink which schedule daily operating routes.

"This will open the gates of West Java to the international community. Then, people can easily access BIJB Kertajati via the Cisumdawu Toll Road, with a travel time of about 60 minutes from Bandung City," he said.

BIJB Kertajati, he said, would serve a number of areas, including Bandung, Cimahi, Cirebon, Kuningan, Sumedang, Majalengka, Purwakarta, Subang, Ciamis, Pangandaran, Banjar, and Tasikmalaya.

"The access will take advantage of the Cipali Toll Road and the Cisumdawu Toll Road," he said.

BIJB Kertajati has modern facilities, including a waiting room with a capacity of 1,336 passengers, food and beverage tenants, ATM Center, baggage claims, and check-in counters for domestic and international flights.

Then, said Bernardus, supporting infrastructure, such as hotels and hospitals, is available. Several hotels, such as Hotel Horison and Fieris Hotel, are ready to operate. Meanwhile, the Aston Inn KJT is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

"There are nearby hospitals, such as Mitra Plumbon Hospital in Cirebon, Cideres Hospital, and Surya Clinic, will maintain the safety of passengers," he said.

According to Bernardus, intermodal transportation services from/to BIJB Kertajati will be an important focus in the planned active airport at the end of October, the West Java Provincial Government itself has granted permission for 12 intermodal transportation operators.

"They are ready to operate buses optimally and serve routes from various regions in West Java. The Ministry of Transportation also continues to monitor the readiness of BIJB Kertajati until October 29, 2023," he said.

Bernardus also highlighted the follow-up to coordinating the transfer of flight services to BIJB Kertajati. According to him, promotional support and collaboration between stakeholders are needed to campaign for the operation of BIJB Kertajati.

"Not only the government, the support of business actors, MSMEs, and communities is also expected to support the success of the flight service reactivation process at Kertajati International Airport," said Bernardus.

It is also hoped that, he said, the West Java Disparbud will make tour packages to attract the attention of foreign and domestic tourists.

"In addition, MSMEs are invited to sell their products at Kertajati Airport, creating interesting business opportunities," he said.