Deputy Minister of Transportation, Suntana, said that the ministry is currently carrying out a thorough study with stakeholders to decide whether to reactivate Husein Sastranegara Airport or optimize the Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka district, West Java.
“In principle, for the best interests of the community and regional governments, we are seeking the most reasonable solution,” he informed in Sumedang, West Java, on Wednesday.
According to Suntana, the decision will consider the budget burden borne by the West Java provincial government for operating Kertajati International Airport, which is pegged at Rp60 billion (around US$3.67 million) per year.
Earlier, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan asked the central government to reactivate Husein Sastranegara Airport without delay.
He said that the airport’s reactivation is a strategic step to revive the tourism sector and the economy of Greater Bandung and its surrounding areas.
He argued that the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport could help ease the financial burden on the West Java provincial government due to the high operational costs of Kertajati International Airport, which are not yet commensurate with its earnings.
Farhan added that many tourists are still choosing to fly through Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, rather than Kertajati International Airport, which benefits Jakarta, not Bandung.
“In fact, people still want to visit Bandung. However, because Husein Sastranegara Airport is closed, they land in Jakarta. The benefits are received by Jakarta, not West Java,” he added.
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Translator: Rubby Jovan, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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