Kertajati Airport Set to Become Indonesia's National Aerospace Industry Hub and Aircraft Flight Test Base
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Bandara Internasional Jawa Barat (BIJB) to develop Kertajati International Airport into Indonesia's national aerospace industry hub.
The signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and was witnessed by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).
The partnership marks a strategic step toward strengthening Indonesia's aerospace industry ecosystem. Beyond utilizing Kertajati Airport as an aircraft flight testing site, PTDI plans to establish Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, aircraft production lines, as well as manufacturing and aerostructure industrial zones.
The West Java Provincial Government welcomed the collaboration. Representing West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development at the West Java Regional Secretariat Sumasna stated that the MoU represents more than a business agreement; it is part of a national strategy to strengthen Indonesia's manufacturing sector and high-technology industries.
According to Sumasna, the partnership between PTDI and BIJB aligns with the national reindustrialization agenda and the economic transformation centered on airport-based development.
"This MoU is more than an agreement between two institutions. It supports Indonesia's industrial reindustrialization agenda, strengthens the competitiveness of the national manufacturing sector, and advances the country's economic transformation through the synergy between aerospace manufacturing capabilities and airport-based economic development," Sumasna said.
He noted that West Java's economy expanded by 5.39 percent in the first quarter of 2026, outperforming the national growth rate. The province also contributed 12.96 percent to Indonesia's economy, while the manufacturing sector accounted for 39.60 percent of West Java's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).
"This MoU comes at a time when West Java's economy is demonstrating strong performance," he said.
According to Sumasna, these figures reflect West Java's strong industrial, investment, and logistics foundations, making it well-positioned to develop an integrated aerospace ecosystem.
"These strengths must be translated into strategic projects that generate added value for the national economy. Today's signing is a concrete step toward building an integrated and globally competitive aerospace ecosystem," he added.
The provincial government believes that the collaboration between PTDI and BIJB will create opportunities for developing various strategic sectors, including MRO facilities, aerostructure manufacturing, and supporting industries.
"We hope Kertajati will evolve beyond being merely an airport and become one of Indonesia's leading aerospace industry centers—one capable of attracting new investment, creating employment, strengthening the national industrial supply chain, and serving as a hub for innovation and technology transfer," Sumasna said.
He also expressed hope that the partnership would be implemented consistently to deliver tangible benefits to the public while supporting national economic growth.
"PTDI possesses extensive experience, advanced technological capabilities, and highly skilled human resources in the aerospace industry, while BIJB offers strategic land availability and excellent connectivity for future development," he added.
PT Dirgantara Indonesia President Director Gita Amperiawan described the collaboration as a significant milestone in the company's business transformation.
He explained that PTDI has long faced limitations in conducting aircraft flight tests at Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung because the runway no longer meets the requirements for testing next-generation aircraft.
"We can no longer fly our UAVs in Bandung. This is our second UAV product, and more models are in development, but we cannot test them there. Every time we conduct a flight test, we have to travel to Pangandaran," Gita said.
He noted that PTDI had previously conducted flight tests for its Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle, which has a wingspan of approximately 16 meters, at Kertajati Airport.
Likewise, the N219 aircraft requires a runway of approximately three kilometers for its maiden flight to meet aviation safety standards, while the runway in Bandung is no longer considered adequate.
"The government's decision to allow PTDI to utilize Kertajati presents an extraordinary opportunity and momentum for the company," he said.
PTDI aims to relocate all flight testing activities to Kertajati beginning in August 2026. The move is intended to enhance the operational readiness of the Indonesian National Armed Forces' (TNI) primary defense equipment in line with government targets.
In addition to the MALE UAV and the N219 aircraft, all aircraft produced by PTDI will gradually undergo flight testing at Kertajati Airport.
The new location will also eliminate the need for PTDI to wait for takeoff and landing slots, a challenge the company has frequently encountered in Bandung.
Following the relocation of flight testing operations, PTDI will begin the second phase of development by constructing MRO facilities.
The company estimates that the aerospace industrial estate will require between 150 and 200 hectares, accommodating four main sectors: aircraft manufacturing, MRO services, aerostructure production, and drone and aerospace technology development.
During the third phase, PTDI also plans to relocate the production line for the N219 aircraft to Kertajati.
"The third phase involves relocating our production lines to Kertajati, with the N219 expected to be the first aircraft production line to move," Gita said.
He expressed confidence that Kertajati will develop into an integrated national aerospace hub, serving not only as an aircraft manufacturing center but also as a collaborative ecosystem involving industry, government agencies, universities, research institutions, and global partners.
Currently, the development of the N219 aircraft already involves 19 domestic industries and three universities.
"When PTDI eventually relocates to Kertajati, it will not be just our company that moves. An entire national aerospace ecosystem will grow alongside us. If this vision becomes reality, Indonesia will achieve greater resilience, self-reliance, and competitiveness in the aerospace industry," Gita concluded.
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