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El Tari Airport

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El Tari Airport
Bandar Udara El Tari
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerGovernment of Indonesia
OperatorInJourney Airports
ServesKupang
LocationKupang, Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Operating base forWings Air
Time zoneWITA (UTC+08:00)
Elevation AMSL105 m / 345 ft
Coordinates10°10′17″S 123°40′16″E / 10.17139°S 123.67111°E / -10.17139; 123.67111
Websitewww.kupang-airport.com
Map
KOE is located in Timor
KOE
KOE
Location in Timor
KOE is located in Indonesia
KOE
KOE
Location in Indonesia
KOE is located in Southeast Asia
KOE
KOE
KOE (Southeast Asia)
KOE is located in Asia
KOE
KOE
KOE (Asia)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
08/26 2,500 8,202 Asphalt
Statistics (2024)
Passengers1,202,306 (Decrease 7.4%)
Cargo (tonnes)12,187 (Increase 7.3%)
Aircraft movements13,724 (Decrease 14.5%)
Source: DGCA[1][2]

El Tari Airport (IATA: KOE, ICAO: WATT) — formerly Penfui Airport — is an airport in Kupang on the island of Timor in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The airport is named after Elias "El" Tari (1926-1978), an Indonesian Army officer from Savu who also served as the governor of East Nusa Tenggara from 1966 to 1978. The airport's ICAO code was changed from WRKK to WATT in 2004.[3] As of December 2018, there were at least 258 outbound flights per week from the airport.[4]

The airport serves as the main gateway to West Timor and East Nusa Tenggara, offering flights to major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, as well as inter-provincial routes within East Nusa Tenggara. The airport previously also operated international flights to Dili in East Timor and Darwin in Australia. In addition to serving civilian flights, the airport also functions as a Type A military airbase for the Indonesian Air Force and also as a base for the Indonesian Navy's Naval Aviation Center (Puspenerbal).[5] Its strategic location near the Australian and East Timorese borders makes it a crucial military asset. Plans are underway to establish new squadrons of combat aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force, which will be headquartered in Kupang to enhance border security.[6]

History

[edit]

Construction and early history

[edit]
Damaged Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-21 in Penfui Airfield, 1945

The airport has been in operation since 1928, during the Dutch colonial period. At that time, an aircraft piloted by American aviator Lamij Johnson became the first to land at the airfield, making a transit stop before continuing on to Australia. The airport was originally named Penfui Airfield.[7] The word Penfui itself means "corn forest," derived from the Timorese words "pena" meaning "corn" and "fui" meaning "forest." The name reflected the area surrounding the airfield at the time, which was largely planted with corn.[8]

Between 1939 and 1941, the airfield was upgraded and developed by Australian forces in anticipation of a potential Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies. Its strategic proximity to Australia made it a valuable asset to the Allied forces during World War II.[9] Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a small Australian force known as Sparrow Force arrived at Kupang on 12 December 1941 and was deployed at Penfui Airfield. The airfield also became a vital link between Australia and American forces fighting in the Philippines under Douglas MacArthur. Penfui was attacked by Japanese aircraft on 26 and 30 January 1942; however, the raids were hindered by British anti aircraft defenses and, to a lesser extent, by Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron, eleven of which were based in Darwin.[10]

On 19 February 1942, Japanese forces landed at Kupang, marking the beginning of the Battle of Timor with the objective of capturing Penfui Airfield.[11] Five Type 94 tankettes were deployed to support the advancing infantry, which moved north, cutting off Dutch positions in the west and attacking the 2/40th Battalion at Penfui.[12] Sparrow Force was ordered to destroy the airfield to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands; however, the order was not carried out, and the troops instead abandoned the airfield and withdrew to Camplong.[13][12] The Japanese subsequently captured Penfui intact, quickly repaired it, and brought it into operation to support their war effort.[14]

Within days of its capture, Penfui Airfield was converted into a naval air base for the 3rd Naval Air Squadron of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS).[15] The Japanese recognized that the airfield had previously served as a key transit point on the route between Java and Australia—initially for reinforcing Allied forces in Java, and later for evacuating personnel to Australia.[14] Throughout the war, the Japanese used the airfield to launch air raids against northern Australia, including the major attack on Broome on 3 March 1942, which involved nine Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters and a Mitsubishi C5M2 reconnaissance aircraft.[16] Allied forces sought to curb Japanese air raids on Australia by repeatedly targeting Penfui Airfield. One notable strike occurred on 2 December, when No. 31 Squadron RAAF conducted a raid that destroyed 18 Japanese aircraft without suffering any losses.[17][18]

The Japanese remained at the airfield until 11 September 1945, when the entire Japanese garrison in Timor surrendered to Australian forces stationed there.[19] Control of the airfield was subsequently returned to the Dutch authorities.

Contemporary history

[edit]

Following the Round Table Conference in 1949, Penfui Airfield was officially handed over by the Dutch military to the Government of Indonesia on May 6, 1950.

With growing demand for air travel in the 1960s, the airfield began accommodating Garuda Indonesia's DC-3 aircraft. At that time, flight operations and air traffic management were overseen by the Indonesian Air Force, as a dedicated civil aviation authority had not yet been established.[20]

During the buildup to Operation Seroja—the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in December 1975—Penfui Airfield served as a forward base for the Indonesian Air Force, supporting preparations for the airborne assault. Indonesian paratroopers were stationed at the airfield before being deployed to the front lines.[21]

In 1988, the airport was officially renamed to its current name, in honor of Elias Tari, the second governor of East Nusa Tenggara, who served from 1966 to 1978.[7] Management of the airport was later transferred to Angkasa Pura I in 1999, later rebranded as InJourney Airports.[22]

The airport once served international flights to neighboring countries such as Dili in East Timor and Darwin in Australia. However, the route to Darwin was discontinued in 2008.[23] On April 2, 2024, the Ministry of Transportation revoked the airport's international status due to the absence of active international flights.[24] The East Nusa Tenggara government has made efforts to reactivate the Kupang-Darwin route, though these efforts have yet to come to fruition.[25]

In 2025, Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia officially reinstated the international status of the airport.[26] At the same year, the airport announced Wings Air will serve international service from Kupang to Dili, East Timor and scheduled to operate in March 2026 by using ATR-72-600 aircraft which marks the resumption of international flight from Kupang airport.[27][28]

Facilities and development

[edit]

A major expansion of the airport was completed in 2020 at a cost of approximately 17 billion Rupiah.[29] The project included the construction of a new terminal, an expanded apron, as well as improvements to the runway and lighting. Following the expansion, the airport now features a terminal spanning 16,424 m², with a capacity to handle up to 2 million passengers annually. The apron, covering 58,469 m², can accommodate up to 17 narrow-bodied aircraft.[7] Previously, the old terminal had an annual capacity of just 1.3 million passengers, while the old apron, covering only 42,525 m², could accommodate just 12 narrow-bodied aircraft.[30] Additionally, the airport is equipped with 2 jet bridges, 4 conveyor belts, 20 check-in counters, and offers parking for up to 508 cars and 236 motorcycles.[29]

El Tari Airport currently has very limited room for further expansion, as much of the surrounding land is owned by the Indonesian Air Force, with which it shares air traffic.[31] As a result, proposals have been put forward to build a new, larger international airport in Kupang to replace El Tari Airport. One proposed site is Oebelo in Central Kupang District, Kupang Regency, approximately 25 km from the city center.[32]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]
The former terminal in 2012, now demolished
Check-in hall
Boarding gate

Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
Batik Air Denpasar,[33] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[34]
Citilink Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[35]
Garuda Indonesia Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[36]
Lion Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[a][37] Makassar,[38][39] Surabaya[40]
NAM Air Maumere,[41] Tambolaka[42]
Super Air Jet Denpasar[43]
Susi Air Pantar,[44] Rote,[45] Savu[46]
Wings Air Atambua,[47] Bajawa,[48] Ende,[49] Kalabahi,[50] Labuan Bajo,[51] Larantuka,[52] Lewoleba,[53] Maumere,[54] Rote,[55] Ruteng,[56] Tambolaka,[57] Waingapu[58]

Notes:

  1. ^ Jakarta is continuation of Surabaya flight as the same flight number

Statistics

[edit]
Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics
Year
Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
2006 484,831 Steady 2,662 Steady 9,243 Steady
2007 573,466 Increase 18.3 3,617 Increase 35.9 11,482 Increase 24.2
2008 726,886 Increase 26.8 4,575 Increase 26.5 11,108 Decrease 3.3
2009 826,195 Increase 13.7 3,209 Decrease 29.9 10,831 Decrease 2.5
2010 932,825 Increase 12.9 2,904 Decrease 9.5 14,660 Increase 35.4
2011 1,213,508 Increase 30.1 4,148 Increase 42.8 18,800 Increase 28.2
2012 1,356,573 Increase 11.8 4,716 Increase 13.7 19,964 Increase 6.2
2013 1,369,432 Increase 0.9 5,918 Increase 25.5 20,481 Increase 2.6
2014 1,310,970 Decrease 4.3 5,258 Decrease 11.2 18,555 Decrease 9.4
2015 1,523,342 Increase 16.2 4,885 Decrease 7.1 20,253 Increase 9.2
2016 1,942,065 Increase 27.5 5,279 Increase 8.1 24,679 Increase 21.9
2017 2,099,890 Increase 8.1 6,088 Increase 15.3 26,638 Increase 7.9
2018 2,250,427 Increase 7.2 7,422 Increase 21.9 30,186 Increase 13.3
2019 1,859,268 Decrease 17.4 8,778 Increase 18.3 25,870 Decrease 14.3
2020 1,032,286 Decrease 44.5 9,319 Increase 6.2 16,630 Decrease 35.7
2021 1,020,285 Decrease 1.2 12,352 Increase 32.5 15,546 Decrease 6.5
2022 1,247,927 Increase 22.3 13,030 Increase 5.5 15,642 Increase 0.6
2023 1,297,850 Increase 4.0 11,355 Decrease 12.9 16,045 Increase 2.6
2024 1,202,306 Decrease 7.4 12,187 Increase 7.3 13,724 Decrease 14.5
Source: DGCA, BPS[2][59]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On 27 November 2009, Batavia Air Flight 711, operated by a Boeing 737-400 made an emergency landing after a problem was discovered with the landing gear. The crew and passengers on board remained unhurt.[60]
  • On 2 December 2009, Merpati Nusantara Airlines Fokker 100 PK-MJD made an emergency landing when the left main gear failed to extend. There were no injuries among the passengers and crew on board.[60]
  • On 10 June 2013, Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 6517, a Xian MA60 operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines suffered a structural failure and crashed on the runway after a hard landing. No one was killed in the crash, but 25 people were injured. 5, including the Captain, was seriously injured. An investigation by the NTSC found that the pilot moved the throttle to the way back, causing the aircraft to lose lift. The crash was the second hull loss of a Xi'an MA60 operated by Merpati.[61]
  • On 21 December 2015[62] a Kalstar Aviation Embraer ERJ-195 PK-KDC operating a flight from Ende to Surabaya via Kupang overshot the runway at El Tari Airport in Kupang.[63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bandar Udara El Tari" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2023" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  3. ^ Kupang-Eltari Airport profile at Aviation Safety Network
  4. ^ "East Nusa Tenggara optimistic about tourism prospects". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Lanudal Kupang Kembali Panen Jagung di Lahan Ketahanan Pangan". Pelopor Wiratama (in Indonesian). 27 December 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  6. ^ Kaha, Kornelis (4 August 2024). "Lanud El Tari NTT disiapkan jadi "Home Base" pesawat tempur". Antara News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Mengenal El Tari, Bandara Peninggalan Belanda Bekas Ladang Jagung". cnnindonesia.com (in Indonesian). CNN Indonesia. 7 May 2024.
  8. ^ Rizal, Rahmi (24 August 2023). "Profil Bandar Udara Internasional El Tari Kupang, Beroperasi sejak Masa Penjajahan Belanda". iNews.ID (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  9. ^ Natom, Petrus (13 July 2023). "Orang Kupang Banyak yang tidak Tahu, Nama Penfui Ternyata Punya Arti 'Bendera Asing'". Siar Indo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Fall of Timor". Australian Department of Veteran Affairs. 2005. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  11. ^ Rottman, Gordon L.; Takizawa, Akira (20 September 2012). Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-78200-488-2.
  12. ^ a b Dennis, Peter, ed. (2008). The Oxford companion to Australian military history (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press. p. 529. ISBN 978-0-19-551784-2.
  13. ^ The Marine Corps Gazette. Marine Corps Association. 1974. p. 28.
  14. ^ a b Shaw, Ian W. (1 September 2014). The Ghosts of Roebuck Bay. Macmillan Publishers Aus. ISBN 978-1-74351-793-2.
  15. ^ Ingman, Peter (25 June 2020). P-40E Warhawk vs A6M2 Zero-sen: East Indies and Darwin 1942. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-4728-4085-1.
  16. ^ "Allies in adversity, Australia and the Dutch in the Pacific War: The Japanese raid on Broome | Australian War Memorial". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  17. ^ Cooper, Anthony James (2011). Darwin Spitfires: The Real Battle for Australia. University of New South Wales Press (UNSW).
  18. ^ Eather, Steve (1995). Flying squadrons of the Australian defence force /Steve Eather. [Weston Creek, ACT 2611 : Osceola, Wis: Aerospace Pub. ; Distributed in North America by Motorbooks International. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-875671-15-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  19. ^ Australia in the War of 1939-1945. Australian War Memorial. 1963. p. 571.
  20. ^ Tong, Jailani (21 April 2024). "Asal Mula Nama Penfui - DelikNTT.Com" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  21. ^ Butarbutar, Benny Siga (2003). Soeyono: bukan puntung rokok (in Indonesian). Ridma Foundation. p. 59. ISBN 978-979-97471-0-5.
  22. ^ "Mengenal El Tari, Bandara Peninggalan Belanda Bekas Ladang Jagung". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  23. ^ Bria, Yufengki. "Bandara El Tari Kupang 14 Tahun Tak Layani Rute Internasional". detikbali (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  24. ^ Expat, Indonesia (29 April 2024). "Indonesia Revokes International Status of 17 Airports". Indonesia Expat. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  25. ^ Saba, Chanda (30 January 2024). "Pemerintah NTT Segera Buka Jalur Penerbangan Kupang-Dawin". rri.com (in Indonesian). Radio Republik Indonesia.
  26. ^ Salukh, Kekson (20 February 2026). "Soal penerbangan Internasional, Progres Serius Hanya Rute Kupang - Dili; Kupang - Darwin dan Kupang - Kuala Lumpur belum Jelas". www.victorynews.id (in Indonesian).
  27. ^ "Langit Timur Terbuka: Wings Air Siap Terbang Kupang–Dili". selatanindonesia.com. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  28. ^ "KADIN NTT Tindak Lanjuti Kerjasama di Dili, Wings Air Siap Layani KUPANG - DILI" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  29. ^ a b Irene (27 January 2020). "Makan Biaya Rp17 Miliar, Pengembangan Bandara El Tari Kupang Dipercepat :". okezone.com (in Indonesian). Okezone. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Kembangkan Sisi Darat Bandara El Tari Kupang, AP I Siapkan Dana Rp17 Miliar". bisnisnews.id (in Indonesian). Bisnis News. 27 January 2020.
  31. ^ Seo, Yohanes (31 July 2013). "Provinsi NTT Akan Bangun Bandara Baru". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  32. ^ Liem, Yoseph; Purwanto, L.M.F. (11 March 2022). "Rencana Pemindahan Bandar Udara Eltari Kupang Strategi Perencanaan Kota Berkelanjutan". Jurnal Lingkungan Karya Arsitektur. 1 (1): 1–15. doi:10.37477/lkr.v1i1.251. ISSN 2828-9234.
  33. ^ Kuswaraharja, Dadan. "Batik Air Buka Rute Baru Bali-Kupang, Perkuat Konektivitas ke NTT". detikTravel (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Batik Air Flight from El Tari International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". airpaz.com.
  35. ^ "Citilink Flight from El Tari International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". airpaz.com.
  36. ^ "Garuda Indonesia Flight from El Tari International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". airpaz.com.
  37. ^ "Lion Air Flight from El Tari International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". airpaz.com.
  38. ^ "Lion Air to launch daily Makassar-Kupang service from 21 March 2024". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Google Travel".
  40. ^ "Lion Air Flight from El Tari International Airport to Juanda International Airport". airpaz.com.
  41. ^ Eben (5 September 2025). "Pembatalan Penerbangan NAM Air Rute Kupang–Maumere, Penumpang Protes Keras: "Kami Dirugikan"". alor.inews.id (in Indonesian).
  42. ^ "Sepekan Lagi, Nam Air Singgahi Tambolaka". jpnn.com (in Indonesian). 1 September 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  43. ^ "Super Air Jet Flight from El Tari International Airport to Ngurah Rai International Airport". airpaz.com.
  44. ^ Lewanmeru, Oby (6 February 2023). "Harga Terjangkau, Susi Air Resmi Beroperasi di Bandara Pantar". Pos-kupang.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  45. ^ "Susi Air Luncurkan Rute Baru Menuju Rote: Jadwal dan Harga Tiket". RoteOnline News (in Indonesian). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  46. ^ Joey (6 March 2015). "Gagal Mendarat Di Sabu, Susi Air Balik Kupang". Seputar NTT (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  47. ^ Alex (16 June 2020). "Hari Ini, Penerbangan Pesawat Wings Air Kupang-Atambua Kembali Beroperasi". NTTONLINE (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  48. ^ Sumby, Muhamad Riswan (2 October 2024). "Erupai Lewotobi, Wings Air Batalkan Penerbangan di Bajawa". berita.rri.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  49. ^ Ardin, Ambrosius (22 January 2026). "Wings Air Rute Kupang-Ende Mendarat Darurat di Labuan Bajo". detikbali (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  50. ^ Fernandez, MG Noviarizal (18 January 2015). "Wings Air Buka Rute Kupang-Alor". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  51. ^ Prodjo, Wahyu Adityo (6 July 2025). "Wings Air Buka Rute Kupang-Labuan Bajo, Catat Jadwalnya!". KOMPAS (in Indonesian).
  52. ^ Purab, Yurgo (13 February 2026). "Pesawat Wings Air Berputar-putar di Udara, Gagal Mendarat di Bandara Larantuka". detikbali (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  53. ^ "Wings Air Resmikan Penerbangan Perdana dari Kupang – Lewoleba – Kupang". Bursa Kota (in Indonesian). 18 June 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  54. ^ "Wings Air Batalkan Penerbangan Menuju/Dari Maumere Dampak Erupsi Gunung Lewotobi". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). 19 June 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  55. ^ "Wings Air Buka Lagi Rute Baru Hubungkan Kupang dan Pulau Rote". travel.detik. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  56. ^ Alberto, Mario (31 March 2026). "Wings Air Kembali Mengudara di Ruteng Mulai 1 April 2026". rri.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  57. ^ Kuswaraharja, Dadan (22 May 2026). "Wings Air Buka Rute Baru Tambolaka-Kupang, Keliling NTT Kini Makin Mudah". detikTravel (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  58. ^ Kaha, Kornelis (31 January 2025). "Dua pesawat batal mendarat di Bandara Kupang karena cuaca buruk - ANTARA News Bali". Antara News. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  59. ^ "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  60. ^ a b "Merpati Air Plane Passengers Unharmed in Emergency Landing". Bernama. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  61. ^ "Merpati Plane Crash-Lands in Kupang: All Survive". Thejakartaglobe.com. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  62. ^ "The Aviation Herald". Avherald.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  63. ^ "Kalstar E195 incident at Kupang". Avherald.com. 21 December 2013.
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