Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport

Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport
Bandar Udara Syukuran Aminuddin Amir
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerGovernment of Indonesia
OperatorDirectorate General of Civil Aviation
ServesLuwuk
LocationSouth Luwuk District, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Time zoneWITA (UTC+08:00)
Elevation AMSL17.07 m (56.0 ft)
Coordinates01°02′20″S 122°46′19″E / 1.03889°S 122.77194°E / -1.03889; 122.77194
Map
LUW/WAFW is located in Sulawesi
LUW/WAFW
LUW/WAFW
Airport in the Sulawesi region
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22[1] 2,250 7,382 Asphalt
Statistics (2024)
Passengers177,342 (Increase 2.43%)
Cargo (tonnes)687.71 (Decrease 20.26%)
Aircraft movements1,576 (Decrease 13.50%)
Source: DGCA[2][3]

Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport (IATA: LUW, ICAO: WAFW), formerly Bubung Airport, is a domestic airport serving Luwuk, the administrative seat of Banggai Regency, in the eastern part of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The airport is named after Syukuran Aminuddin Amir, the last king of the Kingdom of Banggai, who played a role in the integration of the kingdom into the Republic of Indonesia. Located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from Luwuk's town center, the airport serves as a major gateway to Luwuk, Banggai Regency, and the eastern peninsula of Sulawesi. It primarily handles domestic flights within Sulawesi, with regular services to major cities such as Makassar, Manado, and Palu. The airport also serves pioneer routes connecting Luwuk with smaller and more remote destinations, including Banggai in the Banggai Islands and Gorontalo. It previously operated direct services to Jakarta, although these flights have since been discontinued.

History

Construction and early history

Plans for the construction of an airport serving Luwuk had already been proposed by the Indonesian government as early as 1969.[4] In 1972, the Commander of the Indonesian Army's Military Regional Command (Kodam) VII/Wirabuana, headquartered in Manado, North Sulawesi, ordered the construction of an airfield in Banggai Regency.[5] At the time, the regency was administered by Regent Azis Larekeng.[5]

Following a feasibility survey, the Banggai Regency Government selected a site in Luwuk District, specifically in Bubung Village, for the construction of the airfield.[5] The initial facility consisted of an 850 × 30 m runway, a 50 × 40 m apron, and basic communication facilities.[5] Its construction formed part of a government program to establish 16 airstrips serving rural areas across Indonesia between 1974 and 1975.[6]

The newly constructed airfield was first visited by a DHC-6 Twin Otter operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines, as well as a helicopter. Its inauguration was marked by a ceremonial release of pigeons by Regent Azis Larekeng. To commemorate the occasion, the regent invited Syukuran Aminuddin Amir, a respected elder and the last Raja of Banggai, to name the airfield. He named it “Bubung”, after the village in which it was located. In the Saluan language, bubung means “well.”[5]

Bubung Airfield was subsequently developed and began commercial operations in 1974, with scheduled services operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines. At the time, Merpati operated a regular route connecting Manado, Luwuk, Poso, Palu, and Tolitoli using DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.[7]

Contemporary history

As air travel in the region developed, the airport gradually accommodated a wider range of aircraft, including the DHC-6 Twin Otter, CASA C-212, Fokker F27, Fokker F28, and Fokker 100. By 2008, the airport was capable of handling narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737-200, which was operated by Batavia Air and Merpati Nusantara Airlines following the extension of its runway to 1,950 m.[5][8] At the time, the airport had limited navigational infrastructure, consisting of a 50-watt non-directional beacon (NDB), and was staffed by only 20 personnel.

In 2008, the airport was renamed Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport in honor of Syukuran Aminuddin Amir, the 21st and final Raja of Banggai, who played a significant role in the development of the Banggai region and supported the integration of the former kingdom into the Republic of Indonesia during the struggle against Dutch colonial rule.[9] The renaming coincided with broader efforts to improve the airport's infrastructure and operational capacity.

In 2009, the airport was equipped with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system as part of efforts by the airport authorities and the Banggai Regency Government to improve its navigational facilities and enable it to accommodate larger aircraft, particularly the Boeing 737-300.

In January 2010, the airport underwent technical verification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and was cleared to accommodate Boeing 737-300 aircraft. Following the approval, Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Batavia Air operated scheduled services connecting Luwuk with Jakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar, while in April 2010,[10] Express Air introduced a return service between Manado, Luwuk, and Palu using Dornier 328-100 aircraft.[11] The service initially operated three times per week before being increased to daily flights.[11]

In 2012, the airport underwent an upgrade funded by Rp50.5 billion from the state budget (APBN), following which the airport was designated as a Class II airport.[5] Airlines operating at the airport at that time included Express Air, serving Manado and Palu; Sriwijaya Air, serving Makassar, Jakarta, and Surabaya; Wings Air, serving Manado, Palu, and Makassar; Garuda Indonesia, serving Makassar, Jakarta, and Surabaya; and Lion Air, serving Makassar.[5] At the time, Sriwijaya Air operated flights between Makassar and Luwuk using Boeing 737-500 aircraft.[12]

Between 2017 and 2018, the airport underwent further development, including the construction of a new passenger terminal and upgrades to its airside facilities.[13] The development was later linked to a corruption case involving the land acquisition for a Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) navigation facility.[14] The case involved the airport's director and the Head of the Banggai Regional Secretariat's Land Administration Division, with the alleged corruption resulting in state losses of Rp973 million.[14]

Facilities and development

ATC tower

In the past, the airport's old terminal faced problems due to inadequate maintenance and increasing passenger traffic, prompting then-Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan to order its renovation in 2015.[15] The Banggai Regency Government initially proposed constructing a new terminal across the runway, but the proposal was rejected due to the area's hilly terrain.[15] Following further consideration, it was decided that the new passenger terminal would instead be built adjacent to the existing terminal. The new terminal was inaugurated by then-President Joko Widodo on 23 December 2018.[16] Covering an area of 5,000 m², the new terminal can accommodate up to 350 passengers per hour during peak periods, compared with the previous terminal, which covered only 1,212 m² and had a capacity of approximately 100 passengers per hour.[16] The new terminal was also designed to withstand earthquakes, drawing on lessons from the earthquake that struck Palu several months earlier.[17]

On the airside, the runway was also extended and widened to 2,250 m × 45 m, enabling the airport to accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.[16] The apron currently measures 315 m × 85 m, capable of accommodating approximately 3–4 narrow-body aircraft simultaneously, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, as well as turboprop aircraft such as the ATR 72, and is also equipped with two taxiways, each measuring 60 m × 18 m.[16] The runway is planned to be further extended to 2,500 m by 2030, subject to the completion of the planned development.[18]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Batik Air Makassar[19]
Susi Air Banggai Laut,[20] Gorontalo[20]
Wings Air Manado,[21] Palu[22]

Statistics

An Express Air Dornier 328-100 at Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport
An Merpati Nusantara Airlines CASA C-212 at Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport
Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics
Year
Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
2006 32,352 Steady 53.25 Steady 1,627 Steady
2007 43,319 Increase 33.90 110.24 Increase 107.02 N/A Steady
2008 114,812 Increase 165.04 277.82 Increase 152.01 1,985 Steady
2009 61,287 Decrease 46.62 628.25 Increase 126.14 1,084 Decrease 45.39
2010 89,550 Increase 46.12 584.43 Decrease 6.97 1,355 Increase 25.00
2011 110,500 Increase 23.39 384.53 Decrease 34.20 2,102 Increase 55.13
2012 149,095 Increase 34.93 650.01 Increase 69.04 2,296 Increase 9.23
2013 155,755 Increase 4.47 807.00 Increase 24.15 2,091 Decrease 8.93
2014 123,602 Decrease 20.64 650.74 Decrease 19.36 1,967 Decrease 5.93
2015 234,429 Increase 89.66 933.48 Increase 43.45 3,816 Increase 94.00
2016 324,470 Increase 38.41 482.00 Decrease 48.37 5,791 Increase 51.76
2017 358,780 Increase 10.57 1,055.48 Increase 118.98 5,713 Decrease 1.35
2018 327,738 Decrease 8.65 1,109.91 Increase 5.16 4,841 Decrease 15.26
2019 272,408 Decrease 16.88 672.12 Decrease 39.44 4,006 Decrease 17.25
2020 120,588 Decrease 55.73 574.46 Decrease 14.53 2,019 Decrease 49.60
2021 443,853 Increase 268.07 963.61 Increase 67.74 1,716 Decrease 15.01
2022 173,234 Decrease 60.97 1,096.93 Increase 13.84 1,990 Increase 15.97
2023 173,132 Decrease 0.06 862.42 Decrease 21.38 1,822 Decrease 8.44
2024 177,342 Increase 2.43 687.71 Decrease 20.26 1,576 Decrease 13.50
Source: DGCA, BPS[3][23]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 28 June 2017, an ambulance and a group of people accompanying a passenger entered the airport apron without authorization, after the passenger, who was travelling to Makassar for medical treatment, had received clearance from the airport health quarantine authorities.[24] The incident occurred while Wings Air flight IW 1221 was preparing for departure, prompting the pilot to contact air traffic control and resulting in a delay of approximately two hours.[25] Airport security subsequently secured the accompanying group and cleared the apron.[24] The airport authorities attributed the incident to a lack of public understanding of airport regulations and planned to conduct further outreach to local government authorities and hospitals regarding access restrictions within the airport.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara". Archived from the original on 2020-08-16. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  2. ↑ "Bandar Udara Syukuran Aminuddin Amir" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Statistik Transportasi Udara 2024". Statistics Indonesia. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  4. ↑ Pembangunan, Indonesia Departemen Perindustrian Bagian Proyek Pengendalian Operasionil (1975). Perkembangan bidang industri selama Pelita I, 1 April 1969 s/d 31 Maret 1974 (in Indonesian). Departemen Perindustrian, Proyek Survey Perencanaan Umum, Bagian Proyek Pengendalian Operasionil Pembangunan. p. 145.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Panca, Anang (21 September 2016). "Bandara Luwuk (Syukuran Aminuddin Amir), Bandara Kelas II di Sulawesi Tengah". ANY.web.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  6. ↑ Udara, Indonesia Angkatan (1974). Angkasa (in Indonesian). p. 47.
  7. ↑ Sejarah TNI Angkatan Udara: 1970-1979 (in Indonesian). Subdisjarah Diswatpersau. 2004. p. 169.
  8. ↑ Blooog, Gafar Pe (2008-11-01). "Batavia Air Masuk Luwuk". pilabeanku.wordpress.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  9. ↑ "HUT Ke-64 Banggai, Mengenal Sosok Syukuran Aminudin Amir Pindahkan Kerajaan ke Luwuk". banggairaya.id (in Indonesian). 5 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Luwuk Pintu Masuk Wisman di Timur Sulawesi". Antara News Makassar (in Indonesian). 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  11. 1 2 AHP, Ardhanareswari (2014-03-02). "Ini Rute Baru Express Air di Wilayah Barat dan Internasional". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  12. ↑ Tempo, Pusat Data Dan Analisa. Maskapai Sriwijaya Dan Peluang Sebagai Maskapai Alternatif (in Indonesian). Tempo Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 978-623-339-479-6.
  13. ↑ "Jokowi Resmikan 4 Bandara Sekaligus di Sulawesi Tengah". kumparan.com (in Indonesian). 23 December 2018. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  14. 1 2 Hamzah, Mohamad (23 February 2017). "Putusan Sela Korupsi Bandara Luwuk". antarafoto.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  15. 1 2 Yasinta, Veronika (2015-09-13). "Jonan Instruksikan Renovasi Terminal Penumpang Bandara Luwuk". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Kuwado, Fabian Januarius; Patnistik, Egidius (2018-12-23). "Jokowi Puji Bandara Syukuran Aminuddin sebagai Bandara Paling Cantik". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  17. ↑ Pradana, Rio Sandy (2018-12-23). "Desain Terminal Baru Bandara di Sulawesi Dirancang Tahan Gempa". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  18. ↑ Hariyami, Diah (2024-05-31). "Evaluasi Tebal Perkerasan pada Runway Bandara Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Luwuk Berdasarkan Cumulative Damage Failure". SIPARSTIKA: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu-Ilmu Teknik. 3 (2): 26–37. doi:10.55114/siparstika.v3i2.689. ISSN 2809-0977.
  19. ↑ "Default".
  20. 1 2 Safitri, Kiki; Djumena, Erlangga (14 January 2026). "Susi Air Mulai Layani Penerbangan Perintis Korwil Gorontalo". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian).
  21. ↑ "Wings Air Kembali Buka Rute Luwuk-Manado setelah Ditutup Setengah Dekade". palu.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Begini Status Penerbangan Lion Air Group dari dan ke Palu, Sulawesi Tengah". BeritaManado (in Indonesian). 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  23. ↑ "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 Mardiastuti, Aditya (28 June 201). "Kronologi Ambulans Nyelonong ke Apron Bandara Luwuk". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  25. ↑ Mardiastuti, Aditya (28 June 2017). "Ambulans Nyelonong ke Apron, Penerbangan di Bandara Luwuk Delay". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
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