Reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport: What It Means for Singapore & Malaysian Tourists (2026)

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Big news for travelers! Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung is set to make a comeback. After years of limited operations, the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport is officially underway. Here is what Singaporean and Malaysian tourists need to know.

Quick Guide: Reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport

What Is the Reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport?

It refers to the government's plan to restore full commercial flight operations at Bandung's city-center airport.

For several years, Husein Sastranegara was limited to turboprop aircraft serving only domestic routes within Java. Jet flights – including international routes to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur – were redirected to BIJB Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, which is about 2-3 hours drive from Bandung.

On May 25, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto visited Bandung and issued an instruction to reactivate Husein Sastranegara alongside Adi Sucipto Airport in Yogyakarta. The government aims to restore the airport to its former glory, when it served 3.8 million passengers annually (3 million domestic, 800,000 international) in 2019.

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When Will the Reactivation Happen?

As of June 2026, the process is in progress:

Governor Dedi Mulyadi has confirmed that coordination with the Ministry of Transportation is ongoing, with technical meetings scheduled for mid-June 2026. The city government is preparing infrastructure improvements, including dedicated access roads from the Pasteur toll gate through the PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) area and the TNI AU complex.

Why This Matters for Singaporean Tourists

Direct flights to central Bandung may return.

Before the restrictions, airlines like Scoot, Indonesia AirAsia, and Garuda Indonesia operated direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Husein Sastranegara Airport (BDO). These flights could resume with the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport.

Benefits for Singaporean travelers:

• Save time: Kertajati Airport is 2-3 hours from Bandung. Husein Sastranegara is only 20 minutes from the city center.

• Save money: Shorter taxi rides mean lower transport costs.

• More convenient: Land in Bandung, not in the middle of nowhere.

Read more: Why More Singaporeans Rent Cars for Weekend Travel

Why This Matters for Malaysian Tourists

Similarly, Malaysian travelers previously enjoyed direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Bandung via AirAsia, Malindo Air, and Indonesia AirAsia.

Benefits for Malaysian travelers:

• Direct access to Bandung's famous shopping outlets

• Easier weekend getaways to the "Paris of Java"

• No long land transfers after your flight

What is Happening with Kertajati Airport?

The reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport raises questions about the future of BIJB Kertajati.

Governor Dedi Mulyadi has signaled that Kertajati may no longer serve as a commercial airport if Husein is fully reactivated. He stated, "Ya Kertajati mungkin tidak diaktifkan lagi untuk bandara komersial" (Kertajati may no longer be activated as a commercial airport).

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However, former Majalengka Regent Sutrisno has criticized this potential shift, arguing that Kertajati was built as a long-term strategic project for West Java's future. The debate continues, but for travelers, the immediate benefit is the return of convenient flights to central Bandung.

Infrastructure Improvements to Expect

The city government is preparing several improvements to support the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport:

These improvements aim to prevent the traffic congestion that historically plagued the airport's location in the city center.

Read more: Fly Direct from Pekanbaru to Melaka! Wings Air's New Route Cuts Hours Off Your Trip

Airlines That Previously Served Bandung

When the reactivation is complete, these airlines may resume flights:

Reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport: FAQ

What is the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport?
It is the government's plan to restore full commercial flight operations – including jet aircraft and international routes – at Bandung's city-center airport. President Prabowo Subianto issued the instruction on May 25, 2026.

When will Husein Sastranegara Airport reopen for jet flights?
A technical meeting with the Ministry of Transportation is scheduled for mid-June 2026. Infrastructure improvements are proposed for the 2027 budget. Full operations are expected in late 2026 or 2027.

How far is Husein Sastranegara Airport from Bandung city center?
The airport is just 6 kilometers from downtown Bandung, approximately 20 minutes by taxi.

Can I fly directly from Singapore to Bandung after reactivation?
Yes, that is the goal. Before the restrictions, Scoot and Indonesia AirAsia operated direct Singapore-Bandung flights. These are expected to resume.

What is happening to Kertajati Airport?
Governor Dedi Mulyadi has indicated that Kertajati may no longer serve as a commercial airport if Husein is fully reactivated. However, final decisions are pending technical meetings.

What aircraft will be able to land at Husein Sastranegara?
The airport's runway and facilities can accommodate Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft – the standard narrow-body jets used for regional international routes.

Will there be traffic congestion?
The city government is preparing improved access roads, including a dedicated route from the Pasteur toll gate through the PT DI area, to manage traffic flow.

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