Kalimarau Airport

Kalimarau Airport
Bandar Udara Kalimarau
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerGovernment of Indonesia
OperatorDirectorate General of Civil Aviation
ServesTanjung Redeb
LocationTanjung Redeb, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Time zoneWITA (UTC+08:00)
Elevation AMSL59 ft (18 m)
Coordinates02°09′19″N 117°25′56″E / 2.15528°N 117.43222°E / 2.15528; 117.43222
Map
BEJ/WAQT is located in Borneo
BEJ/WAQT
BEJ/
WAQT
Location in Kalimantan
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
01/19 2,250 7,381 Asphalt
Statistics (2024)
Passengers405,932 (Increase 21.7%)
Cargo (tonnes)1,428 (Increase 46.6%)
Aircraft movements5,482 (Decrease 9.7%)
Source: DGCA[1][2]

Kalimarau Airport (IATA: BEJ, ICAO: WAQT) is a domestic airport that serves the town of Tanjung Redeb, the capital of Berau Regency in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is situated approximately 8 km (5 miles) from the town center and is located at the bank of the Berau River. The airport takes its name from the Kalimarau River, a small tributary that flows in front of the airport's terminal.[3] As the main gateway to Tanjung Redeb and the greater Berau Regency, the airport also provides access to popular destinations such as the Derawan Islands, renowned for their rich marine biodiversity. Kalimarau Airport is currently served by regular flights to major Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Balikpapan, Surabaya, and Makassar.

In addition to its role as a commercial airport, Kalimarau Airport also hosts a military airbase operated by the Indonesian Army’s Army Aviation Center (Puspenerbad), located north of the passenger terminal. The base serves as the headquarters of the 13th Assault Squadron, which operates a fleet of Bell 412 and Airbus AS555AP Fennec 2 helicopters. Its location is considered strategically important due to its proximity to the Indonesia–Malaysia border, making it a vital asset for national defense and regional security.[4] There are also plans for the Indonesian Air Force to establish an airbase at the airport and station combat aircraft there.[5]

History

Construction and early history

Kalimarau Airport was established in 1976 as part of a government initiative to construct airstrips in rural areas of East Kalimantan, improving access to remote communities where transportation infrastructure was limited.[6] At the time, it was designated as a rural airport with a runway only 650 meters long, intended to accommodate small aircraft serving remote areas. These included planes like the Cessna 206 operated by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), which could carry just five passengers and two crew members.[3] The apron was initially constructed using steel plates. [7]

By the 1980s, the airport was serving regular flights to other destinations in East Kalimantan, including Samarinda, the provincial capital, with services operated by Bouraq Indonesian Airlines and Merpati Nusantara Airlines, using small aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Short SC.7 Skyvan.[8] Other destinations connected to Tanjung Redeb at the time included Tarakan and Balikpapan.[9]

From the 1990s to 2006, the airport underwent continuous development and renovation to improve its infrastructure, including the extension of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft such as the CASA C-212 Aviocar.[7] By the early 2000s, the airport continued to primarily serve intra–East Kalimantan routes, including flights to Balikpapan, Samarinda, and Tarakan, operated by Kalstar Aviation and Dirgantara Air Services (DAS).[10]

In 2007, the runway was extended to 1,850 meters and resurfaced. A year later, in 2008, Kalimarau Airport was upgraded from a Class IV to a Class II airport, in line with East Kalimantan’s role as host of the 2008 National Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Nasional, or PON). In 2011, the runway was extended once more to 2,250 meters to accommodate larger narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.[3]

Contemporary history

To enhance defense capabilities and improve access to the Indonesian-Malaysian border, the establishment of an Indonesian Army Aviation Center helicopter squadron was proposed in 2012.[4] The idea initially faced criticism from local government officials, who were concerned that a military presence could hinder the airport’s development. Despite the concerns, the 13th Assault Squadron was officially inaugurated on 25 August 2016. To support its operations, various facilities were constructed, including administrative offices, barracks, helicopter hangars, and other essential infrastructure.[11] In addition, the Indonesian Air Force has expressed interest in establishing a military airbase at Kalimarau Airport to strengthen defense along the borders with Malaysia and the Philippines. Plans include the deployment of approximately 200 Air Force personnel to the facility, along with the potential stationing of combat aircraft to enhance regional defense capabilities.[5]

The airport is currently operated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transportation. However, there have been proposals to transfer its management to Angkasa Pura I, which is now InJourney Airport, although these plans have yet to materialize.[12]

There was once a proposal to upgrade the airport’s status to an international airport and introduce international flights to accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting Berau. The plan was initially targeted for completion by the end of 2012, but it has yet to be realized.[13] Although Kalimarau Airport is not officially designated as an international airport, it is equipped with the necessary facilities to handle import and export activities.[14]

In November 2025, the Berau Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) proposed renaming the airport Raja Alam Sultan Alimuddin Kalimarau Airport, in honor of the first Sultan of the Sambaliung Sultanate, who is regarded as a freedom fighter against colonial rule in Berau during the 19th century.[15] The proposal received support from Berau’s two traditional sultanates, the Sambaliung Sultanate and the Gunung Tabur Sultanate.[16]

Facilities and development

A major expansion of Kalimarau Airport began in 2010 and was completed in 2012 to accommodate the growing number of passengers and increasing air traffic. The project included the construction of a new terminal and supporting infrastructure, as well as the widening of the runway to 2,250 meters in length and 45 meters in width, enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.[17] The development involved building a 16,667-square-meter passenger terminal, a 505-square-meter VIP terminal, and a 592-square-meter cargo terminal. The new passenger terminal is equipped with two jet bridges and features various amenities, including ATMs (Bank BPD Kaltim, Bank BRI, and Bank BNI), a prayer room (mushola), café, nursing room, on-site medical services, police post, food and beverage outlets, indoor and outdoor play areas, an ATV track, restrooms, and parking facilities. The upgraded airport was officially inaugurated by then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 24 October 2012, with a total development cost of approximately 450 billion rupiah.[18] The new terminal commenced operations on 5 December 2012.[19]

To accommodate increasing air traffic, plans are in place to further extend the runway—first to 2,500 meters, and eventually to 2,750 meters—to enable the airport to handle larger aircraft such as the Boeing 737-900ER. However, the runway extension project faces challenges, particularly with land acquisition, as it requires the relocation of a provincial road before construction can begin.[20]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Batik Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[21] Surabaya[22]
Smart Aviation Maratua[23]
Sriwijaya Air Balikpapan,[24] Makassar[25]
Super Air Jet Balikpapan[26]
Wings Air Balikpapan,[27] Samarinda[28]

Statistics

View of the apron, with a Wings Air ATR-72 on standby
Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics
Year
Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
2006 119,018 Steady 213 Steady 5,262 Steady
2007 63,250 Decrease 46.9 249 Increase 16.9 2,142 Decrease 59.3
2008 112,129 Increase 77.3 272 Increase 9.2 2,635 Increase 23.0
2009 133,711 Increase 19.2 555 Increase 104.0 3,236 Increase 22.8
2010 218,826 Increase 63.7 1,396 Increase 151.5 4,882 Increase 50.9
2011 288,519 Increase 31.8 3,294 Increase 136.0 4,730 Decrease 3.1
2012 284,020 Decrease 1.6 1,404 Decrease 57.4 4,415 Decrease 6.7
2013 410,895 Increase 44.7 1,233 Decrease 12.2 6,112 Increase 38.4
2014 453,240 Increase 10.3 2,422 Increase 96.4 7,218 Increase 18.1
2015 343,528 Decrease 24.2 2,704 Increase 11.6 5,395 Increase 25.3
2016 373,164 Increase 8.6 2,859 Increase 5.7 5,597 Increase 3.7
2017 446,921 Increase 19.8 3,616 Increase 26.5 6,105 Increase 9.1
2018 521,222 Increase 16.6 4,144 Increase 14.6 7,064 Increase 15.7
2019 441,737 Decrease 15.2 2,524 Decrease 39.1 6,821 Decrease 3.4
2020 198,777 Decrease 55.0 1,093 Decrease 56.7 3,212 Decrease 52.9
2021 219,166 Increase 10.3 1,263 Increase 15.6 2,425 Decrease 24.5
2022 269,498 Increase 23.0 1,080 Decrease 14.5 4,512 Increase 86.1
2023 333,458 Increase 23.7 974 Decrease 9.8 6,069 Increase 34.5
2024 405,932 Increase 21.7 1,428 Increase 46.6 5,482 Decrease 9.7
Source: DGCA, BPS[2][29]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 28 February 2012, a Batavia Air Boeing 737, operating flight Y2654 from Balikpapan, experienced a malfunction with one of its wheels, which nearly detached after landing while taxiing to the apron. As a result, the aircraft was unable to park properly at the apron.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "Bandar Udara Kalimarau" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Statistik Transportasi Udara 2024". Statistics Indonesia. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Radhia, Hanifati (1 April 2024). "4 Fakta Bandara Kalimarau, Bandara Megah di Berau Kalimantan Timur". Good News From Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  4. 1 2 "Skuadron Helikopter di Berau Sangat Strategis". Investor.id (in Indonesian). 29 May 2012.
  5. 1 2 Prasetyo, Budi (15 February 2019). "Skuadron Helikopter Dianggap Mengganggu Pengembangan Bandara Kalimarau". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  6. ↑ Kepala, Kalimantan Timur (Indonesia) Kantor Gubernur (1974). Nota penjelasan keuangan R. A. P. B. D. tahun 1974/ 1975 dan hasil-hasil Pelita I Propinsi Kalimantan Timur, tahun 1969/1970-1973/74 di depan sidang D. P. R. D. Propinsi Kalimantan Timur, 1 April 1974 (in Indonesian). Pemerintah Daerah (Propinsi Kalimantan Timur). p. 175.
  7. 1 2 "Sejarah Singkat Bandara Kalimarau". hubud.kemenhub.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  8. ↑ Borneo Research Bulletin. Borneo Research Council. 1985. p. 115.
  9. ↑ Sudiro (1986). Pelangi kehidupan: kumpulan karangan (in Indonesian). Inti Idayu Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-979-412-020-0.
  10. ↑ Atiyah, Jeremy (2002). Southeast Asia. Rough Guides. p. 537. ISBN 978-1-85828-893-2.
  11. ↑ "Puspenad Tambah Dua Heli Tempur Skadron 13". Korankaltim.com (in Indonesian). 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  12. ↑ Kurnia, Nadya (2017-10-27). "AP I Berencana Kelola Bandara Kalimarau & Bandara Juwata". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  13. ↑ Aini, Nur (16 July 2012). "Kalimarau Jadi Bandara Internasional Akhir 2012". republika.co.id (in Indonesian).
  14. ↑ Aril, Muhammad (2025-04-18). "Kalimarau, Bandara Domestik Pertama yang Fasilitasi Ekspor Langsung dari Berau". Media Kaltim (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  15. ↑ "Nama Raja Alam Diajukan Jadi Identitas Bandara Kalimarau". kaltimkita.com (in Indonesian). 7 March 2026. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  16. ↑ "Raja Alam Sultan Alimuddin Kalimarau Diusulkan Jadi Nama Baru Bandara Berau". Berau Post (in Indonesian). 2025-11-11. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  17. ↑ Herianto Batubara (September 13, 2015). "Begini Kerennya Bandara Kalimarau yang Dipuji Menhub Jonan".
  18. ↑ "Bandara Kalimarau Kaltim Rp 450 Miliar Mulai Beroperasi". detikfinance (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  19. ↑ Agency, ANTARA News. "Terminal Baru Kalimarau Mulai Diuji Coba". ANTARA News Kalimantan Timur. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  20. ↑ Zamzami, Faroq (5 February 2025). "Bandara Kalimarau Bakal Perpanjang Runway hingga 2.750 Meter, Saat Ini Masih Terkendala Jalan Provinsi". prokal.co (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  21. ↑ Maulana, Yosa (23 March 2020). "Batik Air Buka Rute Jakarta - Berau". swa.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  22. ↑ "Awal September, Batik Air Siap Layani Rute Berau-Jakarta dan Berau-Surabaya". Kaltimtoday (in Indonesian). 12 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  23. ↑ Rifandi, Ahmad (15 January 2025). "Smart Air gantikan Susi Air di penerbangan perintis Bandara Samarinda". ANTARA News Kalimantan Timur. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  24. ↑ "Sriwijaya Air Buka Kembali Rute Penerbangan Berau - Makassar dan Berau - Balikpapan". Portalmedia.id (in Indonesian). 2025-04-12. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  25. ↑ "Sriwijaya Air Returns to Flying to Berau, Connecting Connectivity to Makassar and Balikpapan". a-news.id. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Super Air Jet Ambil Alih Jalur Berau–Balikpapan". nosakaltara.com (in Indonesian). 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  27. ↑ "Wings Air Flight from Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport to Kalimarau Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  28. ↑ Pebrianto, Fajar (2018-11-26). "Wings Air Buka Penerbangan Samarinda - Berau Mulai Rabu Ini". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  29. ↑ "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  30. ↑ Alamijaya, Januar (28 February 2012). "Roda Depan Batavia Nyaris Patah Usai Landing di Kalimarau". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
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