Update, 15 September 2026: Kertajati Airport has not stopped entirely — Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation has laid out a clear split: Husein Sastranegara Airport focuses on domestic routes (full operations targeted for 17 September 2026), while Kertajati remains West Java's international gateway, including Hajj/Umrah flights and a regular route to Singapore (twice weekly, Tuesday and Saturday) [3][5]. International service at Husein itself is separately targeted for around October 2026 [6]. Kertajati has also started running as an additional aircraft maintenance (MRO) hub — GMF AeroAsia already operates there — but that's on top of, not instead of, its passenger role [4].
Earlier this year there was speculation that Kertajati might stop handling commercial flights entirely once Husein was back in operation, per West Java governor Dedi Mulyadi [1]. Based on the Ministry of Transportation's latest official statement, that hasn't happened — the actual split is domestic vs. international, not one airport being abandoned outright.
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What's actually changing
Kertajati opened as West Java's main commercial airport back in 2023, after Husein Sastranegara stopped handling most jet traffic (it shares a runway with an Indonesian Air Force base). What's changing now: once Husein officially takes over domestic routes (targeted for 17 September 2026), Kertajati stops being the only domestic option out of West Java — but for international routes, Kertajati remains the main airport, at least until Husein also starts handling international flights (targeted for October 2026).
Why Husein Sastranegara is taking part of its role back
Husein Sastranegara sits about 5 km from central Bandung. Compare that to Kertajati, which is 90 to 100 km out in Majalengka. For the domestic routes Husein will handle, the math is simple: a 15 to 30 minute private airport transfer beats a 2 to 2.5 hour one. For international routes, though, Kertajati stays the main option until further changes are announced. We covered Husein's reactivation timeline in our Husein Sastranegara reopening guide if you want the fuller picture.
The Whoosh factor
While all this plays out, the Jakarta-Bandung Whoosh high-speed train keeps pulling more weight. It brought close to 70,000 foreign visitors into West Java in just the first five months of 2026, per West Java BPS data reported by RRI [2]. For a lot of travelers right now, Whoosh plus a car transfer is simply the more dependable route into Bandung than flying, whichever airport ends up handling which routes long-term. See our Jakarta to Bandung transport comparison for how the numbers stack up against driving or flying.
What this means for planning your trip
- Domestic routes to Bandung — start checking Husein Sastranegara routes once it's officially at full operation (targeted 17 September 2026); before that, or if your specific route isn't available at Husein yet, Kertajati still handles some domestic traffic that continues to operate.
- International routes into West Java — Kertajati remains the main option for now, including Hajj/Umrah flights and the regular Singapore route still running.
- Flying into Jakarta, then Whoosh or car to Bandung remains a reliable option for a lot of routes, regardless of either airport's current status.
- This is a fast-moving topic — always check your airline's current schedule directly before booking, rather than assuming from any article, including this one.
Book your Bandung transfer
Whichever airport or route you end up flying through, our team can arrange the ground transfer into Bandung with a private driver. See our airport transfer service — covering Soekarno-Hatta, Husein Sastranegara, and Kertajati — or message us on WhatsApp with your flight details and we'll confirm the fastest option available for your dates.
FAQ
Has Kertajati Airport closed? No. Kertajati remains West Java's main international gateway — serving Hajj/Umrah flights and a regular Singapore route — while also running as an additional aircraft maintenance (MRO) hub. What's changing is domestic routes, which are shifting to Husein Sastranegara once that airport reaches full operation.
Can I still fly into Kertajati right now? Yes, for international routes and any domestic routes still operating there. If your destination is a domestic route that has already moved to Husein, check your airline's current schedule first.
Should I book my flight into Husein Sastranegara or Kertajati? Depends on your route: for domestic travel, Husein becomes the closer option to central Bandung once it reaches full operation (targeted 17 September 2026). For international travel, Kertajati remains the main option until Husein starts international service (targeted around October 2026). See our Husein Sastranegara booking update for available domestic routes.
What's the most reliable way into Bandung right now? Flying into Husein Sastranegara for domestic routes (once your needed route is available), flying into Kertajati for international routes, or flying into Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta) and continuing by Whoosh train or private car — all three remain valid depending on your flight route.
[1] Source: Kompas Bandung, "Dedi Mulyadi: Reaktivasi Bandara Husein Dibahas Pertengahan Juni, Nasib Kertajati?" [2] Source: RRI, West Java BPS data on Whoosh tourists [3] Source: CNBC Indonesia, "Menhub: Bandara Husein untuk Rute Domestik, Internasional di Kertajati" [4] Source: detikTravel, "Bandara Husein Sastranegara Beroperasi Lagi, Kertajati Jadi Bengkel Pesawat" [5] Source: media reporting on the regular Kertajati-Singapore route (Scoot, twice weekly) still operating as of September 2026 [6] Source: Republika, "Bandara Husein Ditargetkan Layani Penerbangan Internasional Oktober 2026"
