Kalimarau Airport

Kalimarau Airport was established in 1976. 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. From the 1990s to 2006, the airport underwent continuous development and renovations to enhance its infrastructure. 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]

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.^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^[8] Although Kalimarau Airport is not officially designated as an international airport, it is equipped with the necessary facilities to handle import and export activities.^[9]

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.^[10] 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.^[11] The new terminal commenced operations on 5 December 2012.^[12]

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.^[13]

Notes:

• 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.^[20]