Seven Smooth Domestic Routes Are Run In The Initial Commercial Operation Of Kertajati Airport

Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java, which began commercial operations on Sunday 29 October 2023. (Doc. Public Relations of BJIB)

The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has ensured that all flights to and from West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati in Majalengka, West Java, will run smoothly in the inaugural operation of the air terminal which serves seven domestic routes.

"I am very happy that we are finally officially making the first flight at Kertajati," said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi in Majalengka, Sunday as reported by Antara.

From now on, said Budi, all commercial flights, especially jet planes from Husein Sastranegara Airport, have been diverted to BIJB Kertajati with an occupancy rate of around 80 percent of passengers.

According to the calculation, the number of passengers who are now flying at BIJB Kertajati is estimated at more than 2,000 people. He is also optimistic that this number can increase because the public's interest in using the airport is relatively high.

"Population in West Java is big. Bandung, Cirebon, Sumedang and so on are big. So the potential to get out is high, so if you go to Jakarta you have to only have 4-5 hours here for one hour, choose here," he said.

Budi assessed that BIJB Kertajati has better facilities and facilities than Husein Sastranegara Airport, because there is a runway of 3,000 meters which makes it easier for large aircraft to land at the airport.

Meanwhile, at Husein Sastranegara Airport, the runway is only 2,300 meters long, so it is not possible to operate commercial flights on a more massive scale. In addition, he assessed that the presence of BIJB Kertajati could generate economic growth for buffer areas such as Cirebon and its surroundings.