Tjilik Riwut Airport
Tjilik Riwut Airport Bandar Udara Tjilik Riwut | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | Government of Indonesia | ||||||||||
| Operator | InJourney Airports | ||||||||||
| Serves | Palangkaraya | ||||||||||
| Location | Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1 May 1958 | ||||||||||
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+07:00) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 82 ft (25 m) | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 02°13′30″S 113°56′33″E / 2.22500°S 113.94250°E | ||||||||||
| Website | www | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  PKY Location of airport in Central Kalimantan / Indonesia  PKY PKY (Kalimantan)  PKY PKY (Indonesia) | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2024) | |||||||||||
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| Source: DGCA[1][2] | |||||||||||
Tjilik Riwut Airport (IATA: PKY, ICAO: WAGG), formerly Panarung Airport, is a domestic airport serving Palangkaraya, the capital city of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Located approximately 4.5 km (2.8 miles) from the center of Palangkaraya, the airport is named after Anakletus Tjilik Riwut (1918–1987), an Indonesian Air Force officer and politician of Dayak Ngaju descent. He served as the second governor of Central Kalimantan and is recognized as a national hero of Indonesia. As the largest and busiest airport in Central Kalimantan, it serves as the primary gateway to Palangkaraya and one of the main points of entry to the province. The airport offers regular flights to major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya, and also connects to remote areas in the interior of Kalimantan.
In addition to serving commercial flights, the airport also hosts the Angkasa Aviation Academy, a pilot training school operated by the Lion Air Group.[3] It is the second branch of the academy, following the first campus located at Penggung Airport in Cirebon.[4]
History
Construction and early history
Tjilik Riwut Airport was originally known as Panarung Airfield, established on 1 May 1958, and officially inaugurated by Tjilik Riwut, who was then the Resident of Central Kalimantan. At the time, it was classified as a rural airfield and could only serve limited rural flights using small aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.[5] Merpati Nusantara Airlines soon began operating scheduled services to Palangkaraya using Twin Otter aircraft, but these services were suspended during the transition to the New Order in the mid-to-late 1960s.[6] Air services resumed in 1971, when Bouraq Indonesian Airlines began operating routes to Palangkaraya using Douglas DC-3 aircraft.[6]
On 24 September 1973, the Central Kalimantan regional government officially handed over the airfield to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transportation.[7] Following the transfer, full administrative responsibility shifted from the regional to the central government, which began upgrading the airport's facilities, including extending the runway to 1,500 m × 30 m and improving other airport infrastructure.[8] The upgrades were completed in February 1974, allowing the airport to accommodate Fokker F27 aircraft, with the first test landing conducted using an aircraft operated by Bouraq.[9] Bouraq subsequently began operating inter-Kalimantan flights to and from Palangkaraya, including routes such as Banjarmasin–Palangkaraya–Pangkalan Bun and Semarang–Pangkalan Bun–Palangkaraya–Banjarmasin.[10]
In November 1988, Tjilik Riwut was officially designated a National Hero of Indonesia through Presidential Decree No. 108/TK/1988. He was already a well-respected figure among the people of Central Kalimantan, known for his role as a freedom fighter during the Indonesian National Revolution.[11] Tjilik Riwut initially served as a member of the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) before joining the Indonesian Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Major and later Air Commodore. He played a key role in the fight against Dutch colonial forces and led the first parachute operation in Indonesian military history.[11] He was also instrumental in fully integrating the Dutch-controlled territories in Borneo into the Republic of Indonesia. Tjilik Riwut later became the second governor of Central Kalimantan. To honor his legacy, the name of Panarung Airfield was officially changed to Tjilik Riwut Airport on Heroes' Day, 10 November 1988. The renaming was formalized by the Minister of Transportation at the time, Azwar Anas.[12]
Contemporary history
By the late 1990s, the airport had undergone further upgrades to accommodate aircraft as large as the Douglas DC-9 and Fokker 100.[13] During the decade, several airlines operated services at Palangkaraya, including Merpati Nusantara Airlines, which served Jakarta using Fokker F28 aircraft, and Sempati Air, which operated flights to Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, and Surabaya using Fokker F27 aircraft.[14]
On 15 August 2007, Garuda Indonesia resumed direct flights between Jakarta and Palangkaraya, marking its return to the city after nearly two decades.[15] Garuda Indonesia had first launched a Palangkaraya–Jakarta service on 10 August 1984, using the Fokker F28.[15] However, the service operated for only four years, until 1988, when the Indonesian government began integrating the operations of Garuda Indonesia and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.[15] Under the resulting policy, most of Garuda Indonesia’s domestic routes were transferred to Merpati, while Garuda focused primarily on international services, with Merpati serving as its domestic feeder airline.[15] Merpati subsequently withdrew from Palangkaraya altogether amid growing competition from airlines such as Sriwijaya Air and Batavia Air, ending its services to both Jakarta and Surabaya.[15]
On 1 January 2019, the Minister of Transportation transferred the operations of the airport from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to Angkasa Pura II, now known as InJourney Airports.[16]
Following the opening of the new terminal in 2019, all passenger flights were relocated there, leaving the old terminal abandoned and increasingly overgrown with vegetation. Although there are plans to convert the old terminal into a cargo facility, these have yet to be implemented.[17] There are also proposals to repurpose the building as an Emergency Operations Center, which would function as a command hub for managing critical situations such as aircraft hijackings, accidents, and other emergencies. In addition, it is intended to serve as a coordination center for the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) and helicopter operators during forest fire response operations.[18]
Facilities and development
To accommodate the growing number of passengers, major developments were undertaken at the airport, encompassing both the landside and airside facilities. Construction began in 2014 and took approximately four and a half years to complete.[19] A total investment of around 700 billion Rupiah was allocated for the terminal and associated infrastructure. The new terminal was completed and officially inaugurated by then-President Joko Widodo on 8 April 2019.[20]
The new terminal spans 29,124 m2, significantly larger than the old terminal, which covered only 3,865 m2.[20] It has the capacity to handle up to 4.5 million passengers annually,[20] The boarding area can accommodate up to 2,200 passengers daily, compared with just 600 passengers at the former terminal.[21] The terminal is also equipped with three jetbridges, previously used at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.[22] The terminal features a distinctive architectural design, with a roof shaped like deer antlers—a symbol of strength and courage in Dayak culture—while incorporating modern elements such as spacious waiting areas, environmentally friendly facilities, and state-of-the-art security technology.[7]
Additionally, the project involved constructing new taxiways and expanding the aprons to accommodate more aircraft, as well as extending the runway to 2,600 m, capable of accommodating narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320.[23] It is supported by two taxiways, each measuring 150 m × 23 m, and an apron measuring 328 m × 110 m.[23] The airport also has parking stands capable of accommodating up to four wide-body aircraft.[23] Angkasa Pura II has allocated an additional 480 billion Rupiah for further development projects at the airport, including plans to extend the runway by 400 m to 3,000 m to accommodate wide-body aircraft.[20]
Other proposed developments under consideration include the construction of MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities, a new cargo terminal, airport hotels, and various supporting amenities.[23]
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Batik Air | Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[24] |
| Citilink | Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[25] Surabaya[26] |
| Garuda Indonesia | Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[27] |
| Lion Air | Surabaya[28] |
| Smart Aviation | Puruk Cahu[29] |
| Super Air Jet | Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[30] Semarang,[31] Surabaya,[32] Yogyakarta–International[33][34] |
| Susi Air | Kuala Pembuang,[1] Muara Teweh,[1] Puruk Cahu[1] |
| Wings Air | Balikpapan[35] |
Statistics
Year |
Passengers handled |
Passenger % change |
Cargo (tonnes) |
Cargo % change |
Aircraft movements |
Aircraft % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | N/A |  |
N/A | |
N/A | |
| 2007 | 246,917 | |
1,933 | |
2,773 | |
| 2008 | 276,600 |  12.0 |
1,997 | 3.3 |
3,622 | 30.6 |
| 2009 | 327,132 | |
2,057 | 3.0 |
5,331 | 47.2 |
| 2010 | 291,556 |  10.9 |
1,896 | 7.8 |
5,547 | 4.1 |
| 2011 | 615,909 | 111.2 |
3,671 | 93.6 |
5,929 | 6.9 |
| 2012 | 724,783 | 17.7 |
4,460 | 21.5 |
7,342 | 23.8 |
| 2013 | 745,561 | 2.9 |
4,540 | 1.8 |
10,372 | 41.3 |
| 2014 | 733,804 | 1.6 |
4,455 | 1.9 |
14,025 | 35.2 |
| 2015 | 680,406 | 7.3 |
3,845 | 13.7 |
16,933 | 20.7 |
| 2016 | 740,965 | 8.9 |
3,962 | 3.0 |
23,467 | 38.6 |
| 2017 | 531,773 | 28.2 |
2,903 | 26.7 |
19,891 | 15.2 |
| 2018 | 1,050,093 | 97.5 |
5,719 | 97.0 |
9,820 | 50.6 |
| 2019 | 617,334 | 41.2 |
2,626 | 54.1 |
17,321 | 76.4 |
| 2020 | 306,767 | 50.3 |
2,947 | 12.2 |
4,362 | 74.8 |
| 2021 | 401,228 | 30.8 |
11,315 | 283.9 |
6,319 | 44.9 |
| 2022 | 562,921 | 40.3 |
12,765 | 12.8 |
6,538 | 3.5 |
| 2023 | 695,120 | 23.5 |
11,047 | 13.5 |
7,921 | 21.2 |
| 2024 | 726,504 | 4.5 |
13,425 | 21.5 |
6,659 | 15.9 |
| Source: DGCA, BPS[2][36] | ||||||
Accidents and incidents
- On 14 December 2016, Lion Air Flight 867, operated by a Boeing 737-800 from Jakarta to Palangka Raya, skidded off the runway at Tjilik Riwut Airport after landing while taxiing toward the apron.[37] The aircraft’s nose gear became stuck in a 10-cm-deep hole. Airport management attributed the incident to pilot error, alleging that the pilot misjudged the turn while taxiing from the runway.[37] No passengers or crew members were injured. The incident resulted in the temporary closure of the airport for approximately 1.5 hours while the aircraft was removed.[37]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Tjilik Riwut" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- 1 2 "Statistik Transportasi Udara 2024". Statistics Indonesia. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ↑ Mediatama, Grahanusa (14 September 2018). "Mengintip sekolah pilot milik Lion Air Group". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ Camelia (15 September 2018). "Armada dan Rute Terus Bertambah, Sekolah Penerbang Lion Air Targetkan 250 Pilot per Tahun". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ Amin, Ahmad Abdul Jabar Mustofa (5 October 2023). "Bandara Tjilik Riwut di Palangkaraya: Sejarah 65 Tahun Operasi Menuju Keemasan Kalimantan Tengah". Cilacap Update (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- 1 2 Pantjawarsa Supersemar (in Indonesian). Jajasan Laita. 1972. p. 638.
- 1 2 "Dari Lapangan Terbang Sederhana hingga Gerbang Emas Kalimantan Tengah: Kisah Transformasi Bandara Tjilik Riw". disparbudpora.palangkaraya.go.id (in Indonesian). 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Rangin, Dium; Rampai, Kiwok (1 January 1977). Geografi Budaya Daerah Kalimantan Tengah (in Indonesian). Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan. p. 149.
- ↑ Udara, Indonesia Angkatan (1974). Angkasa (in Indonesian). p. 44.
- ↑ Album pembangunan Indonesia masa Orde Baru (in Indonesian). Lembaga Publikasi Pendidikan, Kebudayaan dan Pembangunan Indonesia. 1978. p. 950.
- 1 2 Indrajaya, Dimas Wahyu (6 September 2020). "Tjilik Riwut, Putra Dayak Pemimpin Pasukan Terjun Payung Pertama TNI AU". goodnewsfromindonesia.id (in Indonesian).
- ↑ "Presiden Harap Bandara Tjilik Riwut Jadi Motor Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Kementerian Perhubungan Republik Indonesia". dephub.go.id. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ Tinjauan paruh waktu Repelita VI (in Indonesian). Unit Kajian Pembangunan Regional, Deputi Bidang Regional dan Daerah, Badan Perencana Pembangunan Nasional. 1997. p. 15.
- ↑ Adequacy of Tourism Transport Infrastructure in Eastern Indonesia. Bureau of Transport Economics. 1999. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-642-70420-7.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Atmadjat, Arista (26 September 2013). Fenomena perkembangan bisnis maskapai di Indonesia (in Indonesian). Deepublish. p. 310. ISBN 978-602-280-762-9.
- ↑ Hadyan, Rezha (3 January 2019). "Kemhub serahkan pengelolaan Bandara Tjilik Riwut kepada AP II". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ Widodo, Hari (9 January 2022). "Gedung Lama Bandara Tjilik Riwut Palangkaraya Direncanakan Jadi Terminal Kargo". Banjarmasinpost.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ "Eks Terminal Bandara Tjilik Riwut Memprihatinkan". Tabengan Online (in Indonesian). 26 October 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ "Terminal Baru Bandara Tjilik Riwut Beroperasi". SINDOnews Ekbis (in Indonesian). 9 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Jokowi Resmikan Bandara Tjilik Riwut di Palangkaraya". Tempo (in Indonesian). 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ Prasetia, Andhika (8 April 2019). "Resmikan Terminal Baru Bandara Tjilik Riwut, Jokowi: Besar Sekali". detikfinance (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Kasriadi (21 March 2019). "Bandara Tjilik Riwut Palangka Raya terima tiga garbarata". Antara News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Rahma, Athika (8 April 2019). "AP II Siapkan Rp 480 Miliar buat Pengembangan Bandara Tjilik Riwut". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ "Batik Air Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Citilink Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ antaranews.com (24 December 2025). "Citilink buka rute penerbangan baru Surabaya dengan Palangkaraya". Antara News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "Garuda Indonesia Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Lion Air Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Juanda International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Pemkab Mura: Maskapai Smart Aviation Buka Rute Baru". Palangka Ekspres (in Indonesian). 26 February 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ↑ "Super Air Jet Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Super Air Jet Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Ahmad Yani International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Super Air Jet Ekspansi ke Palangka Raya, Tambah Empat Rute Baru dari Jawa". betangTV (in Indonesian). 15 September 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ↑ "Super Air Jet Buka Rute Penerbangan Pontianak-Palangkaraya". agent.lionair. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ↑ "Super Air Jet Buka Rute Penerbangan Palangka Raya-Yogyakarta". kalteng.tribunnews. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ↑ "Wings Air Flight from Tjilik Riwut Airport to Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport". www.airpaz.com.
- ↑ "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 Andika, Rendhik (14 December 2016). "Insiden tergelincirnya Lion Air disebut kesalahan pilot". Antara News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
External links
