Angkasa Pura

Bandung's Husein Sastranegara Airport Becomes a Hub for Propeller Aircraft

Jakarta - PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) is establishing a synergy between two airports in West Java namely Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and Kertajati Airport in Majalengka.

As an operator at Husein Sastranegara Airport and also Kertajati Airport, Angkasa Pura II divides the roles of the two airports so that the aviation and air transportation sector can be maximized and optimal in supporting economic growth and tourism in West Java.

Related to that PT. Angkasa Pura II has just decided that Husein Sastranegara Airport will become a hub airport for propeller aircraft flights for routes in and out of Java.

President Director of PT. Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin said discussions with a number of airlines had been carried out to encourage propeller operations such as ATR 72 and the like to be centered in Bandung.

"The infrastructure and location of Husein Sastranegara Airport is very appropriate to become a propeller aircraft hub. There are now 68 propeller flights every day for take off and landing. We are targeting to increase again soon, whether it's opening new routes or adding frequencies to existing routes. The estimate could be 100 flights until the end of 2019 ".

The airlines that currently operate propellers in Bandung are Wings Air, Garuda Indonesia, NAM Air and Citilink, with various destinations including Surabaya, Bengkulu, Yogyakarta, Tanjung Karang, Halim Perdanakusuma, Solo, Pangkal Pinang, and so on.

A number of development plans at Husein Sastranegara Airport will also be adjusted following the decision to make the airport as a propeller hub, including related to aircraft repair shops or MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul).

"PT. "Angkasa Pura II has spoken with PT Dirgantara Indonesia regarding MRO at Husein Sastranegara Airport," said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Furthermore, Muhammad Awaluddin said that the Husein Sastranegara Airport, which became the propeller hub, would fully support the operational of Kertajati Airport in Majalengka.

PT. Angkasa Pura II itself is preparing the work airport to serve jet aircraft whether it is a medium body (narrow body) or wide body (wide body).

"Kertajati Airport is the future of West Java. The runway at the airport measuring 3,000 x 60 m is able to serve wide body flights not only for Airbus A330 or Boeing 777, but also for Airbus A380 classmates. "

Going forward, the Kertajati runway can even be extended to 3,500 meters and there is still land to build a second runway.

"Meanwhile, in Husein Sastranegara the size of the runway is 2,220 x 45 m, which can only be narrow body, because it is no longer possible to develop runways there. Not to mention the area of ​​the terminal building that can only accommodate a maximum of 4 million passenger movements per year. Land area for building expansion is also limited. So, there are indeed limitations to airport development, "explained Muhammad Awaluddin.

At present there are still obstacles faced by Kertajati namely regarding accessibility.

"But, when the Cisumdawu toll road is completed, people from the Greater Bandung, Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka and Kuningan regions will find it easier and more convenient to leave from Kertajati Airport. Also if the Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll road is operational, prospective passengers from Bekasi, Cikarang, Karawang, are expected to depart from Kertajati Airport, for example from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport or Soekarno-Hatta Airport, "said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Muhammad Awaluddin said this concept was built by Angkasa Pura II in managing Kertajati, Husein Sastranegara, Halim Perdanakusuma and Soekarno-Hatta as airports which were integrated in the context of airport operations.

The operations of the four airports, Muhammad Awaluddin explained, were focused on the concept of an integrated multi-airport system.

"The concept of an integrated multi-airport system makes the four airports support each other, where passenger traffic and flights are well distributed among the four airports."

In the end, the concept of integrated multi-airport system also supports the development of megapolitan areas in West Java to Greater Jakarta.