How an Indonesian airport became a garden sanctuary for millions of global travelers
In short: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is more than a transit hub; it is a sprawling architectural experiment. By blending modern engineering with traditional Javanese design and lush tropical landscaping, it earned international acclaim. Today, it serves as Indonesia's primary gateway, constantly evolving to manage the massive flow of passengers through its gates.
Conceived in the late 1960s as Jakarta’s original Kemayoran Airport faced terminal overcrowding, the project sought to replace aging infrastructure with a modern international gateway. Following a 1974 feasibility study supported by USAID, the North Tangerang site was chosen. Construction proceeded in two phases between 1975 and 1985, with the facility officially opening for domestic operations in May 1985. The airport was named after Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, and vice president, Mohammad Hatta.
The airport’s design, led by French architect Paul Andreu, famously integrated local vernacular styles. Terminals 1 and 2 feature Javanese pendopo and joglo roof structures, surrounded by tropical gardens that earned the site the 1995 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. This 'airport in the garden' concept contrasts sharply with the contemporary, glass-heavy aesthetic of Terminal 3, which opened in its current 'Ultimate' form in 2016. Terminal 3 incorporates advanced technology, including an intelligent building management system and automated security features, to handle millions of travelers annually.
Managing growth remains a central challenge. In 2025, the airport processed nearly 55 million passengers, ranking as the 31st busiest globally. To keep pace, authorities have implemented complex traffic procedures like the Improved Runway Capacity (IRC) and constructed a third runway in 2019. While ambitious plans for a fourth terminal were recently canceled due to shifting traffic projections, the airport continues to refine its connectivity, utilizing a semi-driverless Skytrain and a dedicated rail link to the city center to streamline the experience for its vast daily population.
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