PTDI & BIJB Partner to Develop Aerospace Industrial Hub in Kertajati

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com — State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) partnered with PT Bandarudara Internasional Jawa Barat (BIJB) to develop an aerospace industrial zone on the western side of Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the government aims to transform Kertajati Airport into not only an aviation hub but also a national aerospace industry center.

“Today we witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PTDI and BIJB as part of our shared commitment to developing Kertajati into one of Indonesia’s national aerospace industry hubs,” AHY said in JAKARTA, recently.

He added that the project is expected to foster an integrated aerospace ecosystem capable of strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesia’s domestic aerospace industry.

The memorandum of understanding covers the phased development of the western side of Kertajati Airport over the short, medium, and long term.

In the initial phase, PTDI and BIJB will optimize existing facilities, including the airport’s runway, to support flight testing for PTDI’s aircraft portfolio. These include fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters), and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications.

Beyond serving as a flight-testing site, the area is also planned to accommodate maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, aerostructure manufacturing, certification activities, and after-sales support for aircraft.

PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan said Kertajati has the potential to become a national aerospace industrial hub through collaboration among the government, industry players, regional administrations, and global partners.

“We are confident that Kertajati can become home to a strong national aerospace industry,” Gita said.

He added that the development of the industrial zone forms part of PTDI’s strategy to expand its production capacity following the government’s assignment to manufacture 80 CN235 aircraft and 30 N219 aircraft.

The aerospace hub is expected to support the commercialization of the N219 aircraft while strengthening PTDI’s production facilities and infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Representing West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development Sumasna expressed hope that Kertajati would evolve beyond its role as an airport to become one of Indonesia’s leading aerospace industry centers.

“We hope Kertajati will not stop at being an airport, but will also grow into one of Indonesia’s national aerospace industry centers,” he said.