PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government welcomed back Garuda Indonesia jet flights from Husein Sastranegara International Airport (14/8/2026).

The inaugural flight of the Denpasar-Bandung-Denpasar route marks the strengthening of direct air connectivity for the people of Bandung City.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said Garuda Indonesia's flight occupancy rate on the first day was very high, reflecting public demand.

Apart from Garuda Indonesia, the Lion group has been serving flights since (6/8/2026) with the Lampung, Balikpapan and Palembang routes.

Farhan said the Lion Air group's flight occupancy rate was above 50 percent, thus opening up opportunities for route development.

A number of cities are targeted to be connected via Husein Airport, including Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Palembang, Batam, Lampung, Balikpapan, Pontianak, Makassar, Denpasar, and Surabaya.

The Bandung City Government is preparing services and infrastructure with an initial capacity of around 3,000 passengers per day.

"Basically, we must be ready for 3,000 passengers per day. With those 3,000 passengers, we must ensure the airport is ready," he said.

Farhan also evaluated the passenger experience from arrival, drop-off, check-in, flight, baggage claim, to transportation access.

The results of the evaluation will be used as material for dividing responsibility for service improvements between the Bandung City Government and airport management.

"This is Angkasa Pura's job, this is the city government's job, whose job is this, whose job is this," he said.

The airport reactivation is also aimed at providing an economic impact by attracting tourists, students, and residents from various regions to Bandung City.

"The challenge for us is how to not only get people from Bandung to fly back and forth, but also how to invite people from other cities to come to Bandung," said Farhan.

InJourney Airports President Director Mohammad Rizal Pahlevi said the airport had undergone security, safety, facility, and feasibility tests before resuming operations.

"We have prepared this airport well in advance to ensure the services, security, and safety requirements required for airport suitability. We have received re-certification from the Ministry of Transportation confirming that this airport is suitable for use," he said.

The nearly two-month preparation included internal testing before direct inspection and verification by the Ministry of Transportation.

"It's not just a visual inspection, but the entire process is tested for suitability with patterns and standards that meet international airport standards," he said.

InJourney Airports is also preparing international flights which are expected to begin operating in October 2026.

"Preparations are underway soon. We estimate it will be in October. Hopefully, it will be available not only in October but also on an ongoing basis," he said.

President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Glenny H. Kairupan said that Garuda Indonesia is currently serving the Bandung-Denpasar route four times a week.

"Thank God, in just three months and five days, today we can witness the reopening of Husein Sastranegara Airport and the first Garuda flight from Bali to Bandung, from Bandung to Bali," he said.

Besides Garuda Indonesia, Citilink is also prepared to serve flights from Husein Sastranegara International Airport.

Glenny said that the Bandung-Denpasar flights were fully booked on the first to third day, with some passengers even on the waiting list.

"There are even people waiting if someone cancels, there's a waiting list," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)