Angkasa Pura

Resurrecting Bandung Tourism in the New Normal Era, Husein Sastranegara Airport is Asked to Re-Open Jet Flights for Domestic Routes

Jakarta - Stakeholders of the tourism sector propose the return of domestic jet flight flights at Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung.

Jet route domestic flights at Husein Sastranegara Airport are believed to be able to revive tourism activities in West Java, especially Bandung in the midst of a global pandemic COVID-19.

This was conveyed by tourism actors at the "New Normal Era Tourism Wriggle Discussion Forum" in Bandung, which was held online on Sunday, July 5, 2020.

Head of the Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) of the City of Bandung Kenny Dewi Kaniasari said the Bandung tourism sector was in dire need of support for direct flight accessibility.

"Disbudpar is waiting for the realization of jet flight at Husein Sastranegara Airport in the context of recovery tourism in Bandung. Optimal accessibility required. The airline also please help support to increase accessibility to Bandung. "

"We are waiting as soon as possible for jet aircraft to be re-operated at Husein Sastranegara Airport, we will conduct various promotions during the recovery and normalization period in 2021. Of course, with the return of domestic flights by jet aircraft, an encouraging step," said Kenny Dewi Kaniasari.

Kenny Dewi Kaniasari added that in 2019 the number of tourists to Bandung would reach 9 million, most of which were archipelago tourists. The capital's tourism sector in West Java has been severely affected since the COVID-19 pandemic in March, marked by a drop in hotel occupancy rates.

As is known at this time the domestic route at Husein Sastranegara Airport is devoted to propeller flight. Meanwhile, jet flights on domestic routes are served through Kertajati Airport, Majalengka, West Java.

Chairman of the Association of The Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) of West Java Budijanto Ardiansyah said that if jets were allowed to return to serve domestic flight flights in Bandung, then that would greatly support the recovery of tourism activities in Bandung and surrounding areas.

"Nusantara tourists are quite large in Bandung, and currently need jet access [for domestic routes] such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 at Husein Sastranegara Airport. At present there are only ATR [propeller planes] where there is only a small capacity. Jet access is needed to encourage tourism again, "explained Budijanto Ardiansyah.

West Java Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Chairman Herman Muchtar said the same thing, where the hotel and restaurant industry was very supportive of the return of domestic jet flights in Bandung.

"Strongly agree to reopening domestic jet flights to Bandung to increase domestic tourist visits in order to stimulate tourism in the city of Bandung," said Herman Muchtar.

In line with tourism actors, in the "New Normal Era Tourism Tour Discussion Forum in the City of Bandung", the airline also requested that Husein Sastranegara Airport reopen jet flights for domestic routes.

Lion Air District Manager Eva Rusmini said Lion Air was very prepared if jet flights opened at Husein Sastranegara. "Lion Air for the fleet is ready to operate in Husein Sastranegara. Our management is also trying to open jet flights in Bandung.

Meanwhile, Citilink Indonesia Branch Manager Yusrizal said, "We have coordinated with the Citilink headquarters and they also support. If it is permitted, we are ready to support by seeing historical flights with good routes to be operated in Husein Sastranegara. "

PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) President Director Muhammad Awaluddin said that the company currently manages two airports in West Java, namely Husein Sastranegara Airport and Kertajati Airport.

"In managing the two airports, we have implemented the concept of a multi-airport system so that the operations of Husein Sastranegara Airport and Kertajati Airport are mutually supportive and connected. The results of this discussion will be conveyed to the regulator in this case the Ministry of Transportation. What is clear, we say is that PT Angkasa Pura II will maintain that Husein Sastranegara Airport and Kertajati Airport support one another, not mutually. "

Muhammad Awaluddin said in the midst of the global pandemic COVID-19 is indeed needed momentum to encourage the recovery of the archipelago tourism sector, including in West Java, especially Bandung.