Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport

Halim Perdanakusuma Airport is the first airfield in the city of Jakarta, which was formerly known as Batavia. It was built around 1924 and was originally named Tjililitan Air Base ({{langx|nl|Vliegveld Tjililitan}}), after its borough.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-06-25 |title=Jejak Perjalanan Pangkalan Udara Cililitan, Menjadi Bandara Halim Perdana Kusuma |url=https://indonesiadefense.com/jejak-perjalanan-pangkalan-udara-cililitan-menjadi-bandara-halim-perdana-kusuma/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Indonesiadefense.com |language=id}} On November 1, 1928, Tjililitan Air Base began operations under a Dutch airline in the Dutch East Indies, the Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KNILM), which served routes from Batavia to Bandung, as well as from Batavia to Semarang and Surabaya. A year later, the name Tjililitan Air Base gained international recognition after the Dutch airline KLM set a record for intercontinental flight using a Fokker F.VII aircraft. The flight covered a distance of 14,500 km from the Netherlands to Batavia in 10 days, carrying only four passengers.

On June 20, 1950, the Netherlands officially handed over the air base to the Indonesian government. It was subsequently taken over by the Indonesian Air Force (AURI) and designated as a military air base under the 1st Air Force Operations Command. Several facilities were transferred to the Air Force Chief of Staff at the time, Soerjadi Soerjadarma, including buildings, hangars, offices, warehouses, housing, and a hospital, along with two air squadrons—20th Squadron and 18th Bomber Squadron. Three former Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (Militaire Luchtvaart) hangars were repurposed to house 17th Air Squadron, 31st Air Squadron, and 21st Technical Squadron. On August 17, 1952, Tjililitan Air Base was officially renamed Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in honor of Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma, an Indonesian Air Force officer and airman who died in the line of duty during the Indonesian National Revolution and was later recognized as a national hero of Indonesia.

During the 30 September Incident of 1965, Halim Air Base served as the central base for the coup plotters of the 30 September Movement. Members of the Tjakrabirawa Regiment assembled there prior to launching the coup, reportedly with the support of the Indonesian Air Force.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2023 |title=5 Lokasi Berhubungan dengan Peristiwa G30S 1965 |url=https://www.tempo.co/hiburan/5-lokasi-berhubungan-dengan-peristiwa-g30s-1965-137792 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Tempo |language=id}} The bodies of seven Indonesian Army officers were discarded by the plotters in Lubang Buaya, situated just south of the airbase. After the failed coup attempt, President Sukarno sought refuge at Halim Air Base before fleeing to Bogor for safety. In the early hours of 2 October 1965, Indonesian Army forces, including units from Kostrad and RPKAD, launched an assault on the airbase.{{Cite web |last=Dewa |first=Punta |date=3 August 2023 |title=Sejarah dan Kronologi G30S PKI, Peristiwa Berdarah Tahun 1965 |url=https://www.inews.id/news/nasional/sejarah-dan-kronologi-g30s-pki-peristiwa-berdarah-tahun-1965/2 |website=iNews |language=id}} After a brief skirmish with rebel troops, the Army successfully secured the airbase. Subsequently, the Army blockaded the runway, preventing Indonesian Air Force aircraft from landing. As a result, many of these aircraft were diverted to Atang Senjaya Air Base in Bogor.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-02 |title=Mendengar Peristiwa 1965 di Udara |url=https://historia.id/militer/articles/mendengar-peristiwa-1965-di-udara-DwjnZ/page/1 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Historia - Majalah Sejarah Populer Pertama di Indonesia |language=id-ID}}

In addition to serving as a military airbase, the airport began handling international flights in 1974, easing the burden on the busy Kemayoran Airport.{{Cite web |last=Selviany |first=Desy |date=16 February 2023 |title=Sejarah Jakarta: Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma dulunya bernama Lapangan Terbang Cililitan |url=https://bekasi.tribunnews.com/2023/02/16/sejarah-jakarta-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-dulunya-bernama-lapangan-terbang-cililitan?page=2 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Tribunbekasi.com |language=id-ID}} At that time, all international flights were relocated to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, while Kemayoran continued to serve only domestic flights.{{Cite web |last=Juliasari |first=Lisma |date=16 June 2024 |title=Kemayoran, Bandara Internasional Pertama Indonesia yang Berhenti Beroperasi |url=https://rri.co.id/lain-lain/760216/kemayoran-bandara-internasional-pertama-indonesia-yang-berhenti-beroperasi |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Radio Republik Indonesia |language=id}} Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport remained a vital gateway for international travel to Jakarta until the opening of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Tangerang in 1985. Following the closure of Kemayoran in 1985, Halim Perdanakusuma became Jakarta's secondary airport, primarily accommodating charter flights, general aviation, and serving as a base for flying schools for the next 29 years. In the 1990s, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation designated Halim as a hub for non-scheduled flights and scheduled services using aircraft with a capacity of fewer than 100 passengers.

In 2013, to ease congestion at Soekarno–Hatta Airport, the Halim airport authority announced that it would give 60 flight slots per hour for scheduled flights and, for the first time, the 2013 Haj pilgrims used this airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/24/halim-undergoes-renovation-ease-air-traffic-soekarno-hatta.html |title=Halim undergoes renovation to ease air traffic at Soekarno–Hatta |date=24 July 2013|first=Nurfika|last=Osman|work=The Jakarta Post|access-date=1 October 2021}} Batik Air initially was the largest user, taking 32 slots from 74 slots available for all airlines a day.{{cite web |author=Robertus Belarminus |date=3 June 2014 |editor-last=Suprapto |title=Tiga Maskapai Batal Beroperasi di Halim Perdanakusuma |url=http://jabar.tribunnews.com/2014/06/03/tiga-maskapai-batal-beroperasi-di-halim-perdanakusuma |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Kompas |language=id}} Since 2014, the airport has served domestic scheduled flights with a capacity up to 2.2 million passengers per year from about 200,000 passengers in 2013.{{cite web |language=id|url=http://jabar.tribunnews.com/2013/12/21/layani-penerbangan-komersial-bandara-halim-kebut-renovasi |title=Layani Penerbangan Komersial, Bandara Halim Kebut Renovasi |date=21 December 2013|work=Tribun|editor-first=Darajat|editor-last=Arianto|access-date=1 October 2021}}

In early November 2021, Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation announced they would close the airport temporarily for public use for the next nine months for renovation. Domestic flights would be moved to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport or Pondok Cabe Airport. This decision was made based on the evaluation of Halim's aging infrastructure, like the runways and terminals, and the impact to the airport's quality of services.{{cite web |language=id|url=https://asumsi.co/post/7734/bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-bakal-ditutup|title=Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma Bakal Ditutup |date=6 November 2021|work=Asumsi|editor-last=Tesalonica Harefa|access-date=6 November 2021}} The airport was closed from March to September 2022 to allow for renovation works.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-04 |title=Kembali Layani Penerbangan Komersial, Ini Profil Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma |url=https://www.tempo.co/ekonomi/kembali-layani-penerbangan-komersial-ini-profil-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma--296093 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Tempo |language=id}}

A major redevelopment of the airport was carried out between March and September 2022, involving extensive upgrades to both the airside and landside facilities. During the renovation period, the airport was temporarily closed to all flights. The total cost of the upgrade amounted to approximately 500 billion rupiah.{{Cite web |last=Hikam |first=Herdi Alif Al |date=24 May 2022 |title=Bandara Halim Dipercantik Pakai APBN, Habis Berapa Duit? |url=https://finance.detik.com/infrastruktur/d-6092772/bandara-halim-dipercantik-pakai-apbn-habis-berapa-duit |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=detikfinance |language=id-ID}}

On the airside, works included the rehabilitation of the runway, taxiways, and aircraft apron. On the landside, the project focused on revitalizing the drainage system, the Naratetama VVIP Terminal, the Naratama VIP Terminal, the passenger terminal, and various supporting infrastructure.{{Cite web |date=22 October 2022 |title=Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma Semakin Kinclong |url=https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/budaya/6121/bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-semakin-kinclong?lang=1 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=indonesia.go.id |language=id}}

The apron was expanded to accommodate up to 16 narrow-body aircraft—such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320—or six wide-body aircraft. The arrival terminal was also enlarged by 30 percent, increasing from 819.32 to 1,194.24 square meters. Additionally, the number of baggage conveyor belts was increased from two to three units to improve handling capacity. Following the renovation, the passenger terminal's capacity increased to accommodate 7-8 million passengers annually, up from its original capacity of only 2 million passengers.{{Cite web |last=Roisatin |first=Fatma |date=22 July 2024 |title=5 Perbedaan Bandara Soekarno-Hatta dan Halim Perdanakusuma |url=https://www.idntimes.com/travel/destination/fatma-roisatin/perbedaan-bandara-soekarno-hatta-dan-halim-perdanakusuma?page=all |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=IDN Times |language=id}}

One of the most notable transformations took place at the Naratetama VVIP Terminal. Previously in a state of disrepair, the terminal now resembles a five-star hotel, shedding its former worn-out appearance. Located at the front section of the airport in East Jakarta, it now features dedicated rooms for the president, vice president, and visiting state guests. The presidential meeting room has also been expanded and fitted with higher ceilings, offering a more spacious and distinguished atmosphere.

{{Airport-dest-list

| Batik Air | Denpasar, Makassar (resumes 20 July 2025), Malang, Medan, Padang,{{cite web|title=BATIK AIR INDONESIA NEW ROUTE|url=https://agent.lionair.co.id/LionAirAgentsPortal/Default.aspx/}} Palembang, Pekanbaru, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Yogyakarta–International

| Citilink | Denpasar, Malang, Medan, Palembang, Siborong-Borong, Surabaya, Way Kanan,{{cite news|url=https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/citilink-buka-rute-baru-jakarta-way-kanan-tarifnya-mulai-rp-12-juta|title=Citilink Buka Rute Baru Jakarta-Way Kanan|last=|first=|work=kontan.co.id|publisher=|location=|access-date=7 February 2025}} Yogyakarta–Adisucipto, Yogyakarta–International

| FlyJaya | Yogyakarta–Adisucipto{{cite news|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhqdGkR_vd/?igsh=NnMycjU3bTg0OGpw|title=FlyJaya kini hadir di Traveloka!|last=|first=|work=Instagram|publisher=|location=|access-date=1 July 2025}}

| {{nowrap|Garuda Indonesia}} | Medan, Padang, Surabaya{{cite news|url=https://www.jawapos.com/ekonomi/015194592/garuda-indonesia-bakal-terbang-dari-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-mulai-november-rute-medan-surabaya-dan-padang|title=Garuda Indonesia Terbang dari Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma Mulai 1 November 2024 Rute Medan, Surabaya dan Padang|last=|first=|work=jawapos.com|publisher=|location=|access-date=14 October 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://pinterpoin.com/garuda-indonesia-kembali-mengoperasikan-penerbangan-dari-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-hlp/|title=Garuda Indonesia Akan Kembali Mengoperasikan Penerbangan Dari Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP)|last=|first=|work=pinterpoin|publisher=|location=|access-date=17 October 2024}}

| Pelita Air | Charter: Matak{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/pk-pah|title=Flight history for aircraft - PK-PAH|work=Flightradar24|access-date=7 March 2025}}

| Susi Air | Bandung–Sastranegara,{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Kompas Cyber |date=2023-12-29 |title=Penerbangan Susi Air Rute Bandung-Pangandaran Dibuka Mulai Hari Ini |url=https://bandung.kompas.com/read/2023/12/29/164840278/penerbangan-susi-air-rute-bandung-pangandaran-dibuka-mulai-hari-ini |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}} Pangandaran{{efn|Pangandaran is continuation of Bandung–Sastranegara flight as the same flight number}}

}}Notes:{{notelist}}

{{Airport-dest-list

| Asia Cargo Airlines | Balikpapan, Singapore

| Cardig Air | Balikpapan, Singapore

}}

File:Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.jpg

File:Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to Yogyakarta International Airport flight, 23 January 2023 12.jpg aircraft lining up at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base]]

DAMRI buses operate from the airport, providing connections to nearby cities such as Bogor and Bekasi.{{Cite web |last=Azzahra |first=Dhiya Awlia |date=14 June 2024 |title=4 Cara ke Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma Jakarta Naik Transportasi Umum |url=https://www.idntimes.com/travel/tips/dhiya-azzahra/cara-ke-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-naik-transportasi-umum?page=all |archive-date= |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=IDN Times |language=id-IN}} For travel within Jakarta, the airport is accessible via the Gereja Oikumene stop on the JakLingko JAK20 corridor , located just a three-minute walk from the airport terminal.

Within the airport terminal, only official taxis authorized by the Indonesian Air Force authority in Halim Perdanakusuma Airport are permitted to operate. This policy has sparked some controversy, as these taxis are often considered overpriced by passengers.{{Cite web |last=Puspapertiwi |first=Erwina Rachmi |last2=Dzulfaroh |first2=Ahmad Naufal |date=2 April 2024 |title=Warganet Sebut Taksi Tak Bisa Ambil Penumpang dalam Bandara Halim, Ini Kata Pengelola |url=https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2024/04/02/183000065/warganet-sebut-taksi-tak-bisa-ambil-penumpang-dalam-bandara-halim-ini-kata?page=all |website=Kompas |language=id}} However, outside the terminal, travelers can easily find alternative options such as Bluebird taxis and app-based ride-hailing services like Gojek, Grab, and Maxim.

The airport is located near the Halim railway station complex, which includes stations for both the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed railway operated by Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) and the Jabodebek LRT Bekasi Line. An airport shuttle bus is available to provide convenient transportation between the airport and the station complex.{{cite news |date=2 June 2024 |title=Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Provides Shuttle Bus Service to 'Whoosh' High-speed Train Station |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1874974/jakartas-halim-perdanakusuma-airport-provides-shuttle-bus-service-to-whoosh-high-speed-train-station |accessdate=2 June 2024 |newspaper=Tempo}}

An express train service is now under planning stage to connect Soekarno–Hatta International Airport with Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. Completion of this line is originally expected to be completed at the very earliest in 2019.{{cite web |date=August 28, 2017 |title=Pemerintah Kaji Ulang Kontrak KA Ekspres Halim-Soetta |url=http://www.beritasatu.com/aktualitas/241986-pemerintah-kaji-ulang-kontrak-ka-ekspres-halimsoetta.html}} At first this project was solely planned to be built as an {{convert|33|km|mi|sp=us|adj=on}} express line between Manggarai Station at South Jakarta and Soekarno–Hatta International Airport via Angke and Pluit, which would be a public–private partnership project.{{cite web |title=Government pegs PT KAI for airport railway development |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/07/16/government-pegs-pt-kai-airport-railway-development.html |access-date=August 30, 2017}}{{cite news |title=KAI: Airport train ready in 2013 |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/12/09/kai-airport-train-ready-2013.html |access-date=August 30, 2017 |newspaper=The Jakarta Post}} Later the route was extended from Manggarai to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, which is in East Jakarta. The 33 kilometer project, proposed as Halim-Cawang-Manggarai-Tanah Abang-Sudirman-Pluit Terminal 2 and 3 SHIA stretch route, has been proposed to include a combination of surface-underground-elevated tracks. The express train is projected to take 30 minutes to connect the two main airports that serve the Greater Jakarta area.{{cite web |date=August 28, 2017 |title=Ada Kereta Ekspress, Dari Bandara Halim ke Soetta Hanya 30 Menit |url=http://bisnis.liputan6.com/read/799301/ada-kereta-ekspress-dari-bandara-halim-ke-soetta-hanya-30-menit?wp.bsns}}{{cite web |title=April, Tender Kereta Halim-Bandara Soekarno-Hatta |url=http://www.metrotvnews.com/metronews/read/2014/01/13/2/207414/April-Tender-Kereta-Halim-Bandara-Soekarno-Hatta- |access-date=September 1, 2017}}

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Landing van de Fokker F VII op Tjililitan (het oude vliegveld van Batavia) op 24 november 1924 TMnr 60048882.jpg|First aircraft to land at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, still known as Tjililitan Field, in November 1924

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De aankomsthal van het vliegveld Tjililitan nabij Meester Cornelis TMnr 60001160.jpg|The arrival hall of the old Tjililitan airfield in 1915–1925

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het vliegveld Tjililitan bij Batavia TMnr 60016080.jpg|The old Tjililitan airfield in 1925–1935

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het vliegtuig naar Bandoeng staat gereed voor vertrek op het vliegveld Tjililitan bij Batavia TMnr 10027133.jpg|A Fokker F.VII plane at Tjililitan in 1929

File:The surrender of Halim Perdanakusuma.JPG|The transferred of Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase from the Netherlands Air Force to Indonesian Air Force, 20 June 1950

File:1975-7-24 Jakarta - airport.jpg|Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in 1975

File:TNI-AL De Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo at Halim Perdanakusuma.jpg|Indonesian Navy DeHavilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase

File:Indonesian Air Force Boeing 737-4U3; @HLP 2016 (26233454342).jpg|Indonesian Air Force Boeing 737-400 at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase

File:Defense.gov News Photo 100722-D-7203C-001 - Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is greeted by Indonesian military members after his arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.jpg|U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, greeted by Indonesian military members upon arriving at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport on 22 July 2010

File:Indonesian Air Force KAI T-50i Golden Eagle; @HLP 2016 (26259629771).jpg|Indonesian Air Force KAI T-50i Golden Eagle at display during an airshow at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base

File:Citilink-di-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma.jpg|Citilink Airbus A320-200 taxiing at Halim

• 24 June 1982: British Airways Flight 9, a Boeing 747-200 (registered G-BDXH) flew through a cloud of volcanic ash thrown up by the eruption of Mount Galunggung, causing the failure of all four engines. The crew diverted the aircraft to Jakarta and it landed safely.
• 9 May 2012: a Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed into Mount Salak on a test flight, killing all 45 people on board. The investigation found that pilot error was to blame.
• 21 June 2012: An Indonesian Air Force Fokker F-27 crashed on landing and hit a housing complex near Halim airport.{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Hindra |date=21 June 2012 |editor-last=Wadrianto |editor-first=Glori K. |title=Jatuh di Halim, Fokker 27 Berpenumpang 7 Orang |url=https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2012/06/21/15573496/Jatuh.di.Halim.Foker.27.Berpenumpang.7.Orang |access-date=1 October 2021 |language=id}}
• 4 April 2016: Batik Air Flight 7703, a Boeing 737-800 (registered PK-LBS) collided with a TransNusa ATR 42 while taxiing. The Boeing 737 wingtip sliced the tail of the ATR. The wingtip of the Boeing 737 burst into flames but was quickly extinguished. No one on board was killed.{{cite web |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=4 April 2016 |title=Accident: Batik B738 and Transnusa AT42 at Jakarta on Apr 4th 2016, ground collision, both aircraft on fire |url=http://avherald.com/h?article=49666e3e&opt=0 |access-date=4 April 2016 |work=The Aviation Herald}}
• 20 March 2021: A Trigana Air Boeing 737-400 (registered PK-YSF) returned after it had problems with its landing gear. When the plane landed, the landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to skid off the runway. No injuries were reported.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Halim Perdanakusuma Airport}}

{{Portal|Indonesia|Aviation}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160509084632/http://www.angkasapura2.co.id/cabang/hlp/content.php?menu=8&page_id=1 PT. Angkasa Pura II: Halim Perdanakusuma Airport] {{in lang|en}}
• {{NWS-current|WIHH}}
• {{GCM|HLP|source=DAFIF}}
• {{ASN|HLP}}

{{Airports in Indonesia}}

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Category:Airports in Jakarta

Category:Indonesian Air Force

Category:Indonesian Air Force bases