RRI.CO.ID, Bandung – Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation is accelerating preparations for the reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung through a series of technical and operational measures carried out in coordination with relevant stakeholders. Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa said preparations on both the airside and landside have been underway over the past two to three weeks.

According to him, based on the established timeline, all operational requirements to accommodate jet aircraft are targeted to be completed by September 17, 2026.

However, he said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is also preparing an accelerated scenario in line with the Defense Minister’s directive, aiming to reactivate the airport earlier, on August 17, 2026.

“The reactivation of Husein Sastranegara Airport will be carried out in phases, prioritizing safety, security, and compliance with all civil aviation regulations. We have approved the operational study and safety assessment as the basis for the reactivation process,” Lukman said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

He added that the ministry will continue coordinating with the Commander of Husein Sastranegara Air Force Base to determine the official reactivation date.

Lukman explained that Husein Sastranegara Airport still faces several limitations, including restricted land availability due to dense residential areas surrounding the airport, a 2,220 x 45-meter runway that cannot be extended, limitations related to the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), and its shared use with the Indonesian Air Force.

To support the operation of Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 aircraft, the ministry plans to upgrade infrastructure through runway and taxiway overlays, apron reconstruction, an upgrade of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) category to Category 7, the addition of ARFF vehicles, reinforcement of personnel, and improvements to terminal facilities.

As part of the acceleration plan, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will redeploy ARFF vehicles from Kertajati International Airport after the completion of this year’s Hajj return operations. Supporting equipment will also be provided through the mobilization of existing assets without the need for new procurement.

The ministry has prepared two operational scenarios for the airport’s reactivation. The first would allow operations for ATR72-500 aircraft, business aviation, and charter flights. The second would enable Husein Sastranegara Airport to serve Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 aircraft through the implementation of a slot management system to regulate operational capacity safely and efficiently.