Husein Sastranegara Airport Connectivity Has Improved, Bandung's Tourism Sector and MSMEs Need to Prepare.

Improved flight connectivity through Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java, opens new opportunities for the development of local tourism and the regional economy. However, the expansion of flight routes must be matched by readiness from the tourism ecosystem and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure benefits do not stop at simply rising passenger numbers.

Husein Sastranegara Airport is once again being optimised to operate inter-island domestic and international flights. This condition creates greater opportunities for Bandung to attract visitors while expanding economic activity across multiple sectors.

Granito W Hindrawan, General Manager of Husein Sastranegara Airport, stated that opportunities continue to open alongside additional routes and high flight demand for various tourist destinations, including Denpasar, Bali.

“Right now the Denpasar route has the highest load factor. Flights to Denpasar consistently run at 97-98% occupancy, very frequently reaching 100%,” he stated during a press conference in Bandung on Friday.

This strong demand for the Denpasar route demonstrates the high level of passenger mobility originating from Bandung. Conversely, the growing selection of flight routes also has the potential to widen access for visitors travelling to Bandung, both from other cities across Indonesia and from international markets.

Currently Husein Airport operates flights using both jet and propeller aircraft. Garuda Indonesia serves the Denpasar route, while Citilink operates flights to Denpasar, Kualanamu, Balikpapan, Surabaya and Palembang. Susi Air meanwhile provides services for the Halim Perdanakusuma and Pangandaran routes.

Connectivity will be further strengthened with the scheduled launch of Super Air Jet operations starting 18 September. This airline will operate flights from Bandung to Kualanamu, Pekanbaru, Makassar, Pontianak, Denpasar and Balikpapan.

With this addition, there will be a total of approximately 10 flight routes operating to and from Husein Sastranegara Airport.

Bandung Tourism Must Capitalise On This Opportunity

For Bandung, improved air connectivity is not merely a transportation issue. Higher passenger flows can act as a gateway for growth across all forms of economic activity, ranging from trade, accommodation, tourism services right through to the creative industries.

For this reason, Granito noted that improved connectivity must be accompanied by readiness within Bandung's local economic ecosystem, particularly within the tourism and MSME sectors.

Airport management has begun building coordination with various stakeholders. One such partnership is with the Pasar Baru Merchant Association, which oversees around 4,500 traders.

This collaboration is necessary as commercial districts are among the core destinations for visitors travelling to Bandung. Increased tourist arrivals via air travel are expected to stimulate trade activity and expand opportunities for local business operators.

“We have also held meetings with the Pasar Baru Merchant Association. They represent roughly 4,500 traders, and they are very supportive of these developments. They already recognise the economic uplift that will come with the resumption of international flights,” he explained.

Beyond traders, preparedness within the tourism sector is also focused on developing ready-to-offer tourism products for incoming visitors. Airport management is partnering with hotel associations and travel operators to design tour packages aligned with the needs of prospective tourists.

Coordination efforts are being carried out with the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), the Riung Priangan hotel association, as well as independent travel and hospitality businesses.

"Several parties have also expressed interest in running promotional activities inside the airport, among other initiatives," he added.

Tourism promotions located within the airport form a critical part of the visitor journey. Upon arrival, tourists require not only onward transport access, but also information on accommodation, destinations, local cuisine, shopping centres, and the full range of experiences available during their stay in Bandung.