H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport

Pembuka

H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport , formerly known as Ipi Airport, is a domestic regional airport serving Ende, the administrative capital of Ende Regency on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The airport is named after Haji Hasan Aroeboesman, the last Raja of Ende and a former Regent of Ende, who served from 1967 to 1973. Located close to the town center, the airport is approximately 600 m (0.37 mi) from the Ende Regent's Office. It serves as a major gateway to Ende and the surrounding region, as well as to Kelimutu National Park, located approximately 60 km (37 mi) from the airport. The airport is currently served by two airlines. Wings Air operates flights to Kupang, the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo, while Susi Air operates pioneer flights to Savu Island. The airport previously had direct flights to Denpasar, Bali, but the route has since been discontinued.

The airport is surrounded by the sea and mountainous terrain, making it one of the more challenging airports in Indonesia for pilots. Aircraft are required to make a sharp turn of approximately 90 degrees shortly after takeoff or before landing due to the presence of a mountain only a few kilometers from the end of the runway. As a result, flights to and from the airport are generally operated by experienced pilots familiar with the airport's demanding approach and departure procedures.

Landside facilities

A new passenger terminal was completed in January 2023 at a cost of approximately Rp85 billion, funded through the state budget (APBN) and allocated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transportation. Construction of the new terminal began in 2021 and was completed two years later in 2023. The two-story terminal has a floor area of 4,320 m² (46,500 sq ft) and is designed to accommodate up to 116,153 passengers annually, with its boarding gates capable of accommodating 300–350 passengers during peak periods.

The new terminal features a modern architectural design incorporating elements of local Endenese cultural heritage. The terminal is equipped with a range of passenger facilities, including an exclusive lounge, a dedicated waiting area for passengers with disabilities, a prayer room, a lactation room, and a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) center. The first floor houses the check-in and arrivals areas, while the second floor contains the departure lounge and food court. The terminal features dedicated departure and arrival areas, check-in facilities, general waiting areas, and a paid lounge designed as an elegant passenger relaxation area. As the terminal occupies two floors, it is equipped with two escalators and a lift, with the latter intended primarily for passengers with disabilities and elderly travelers. The terminal also includes a food court and dining area designed as a casual gathering space, which is open not only to passengers but also to the general public.

Airside facilities

On the airside, the airport has a single runway measuring 1,650 m × 30 m (5,413 ft × 98 ft), capable of accommodating aircraft up to the size of the ATR 72. The runway is equipped with two runway turn pads, one at each end, each measuring 100 m × 15 m (328 ft × 49 ft). In June 2015, following a visit to the airport, then-Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan announced plans to upgrade the airport's facilities, including extending the runway to 1,800 m and eventually to 2,100 m. The proposed extensions were intended to enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including narrow-body types such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The government initially allocated Rp15 billion in funding for the project, including land clearance. However, the runway extension was shelved in 2022 due to several constraints, including physical limitations, budgetary considerations, and relatively low demand for air transportation. One of the main physical constraints was a hill in the Dolog area, located directly beyond the end of the runway. The hill would have to be excavated along a divergent profile to provide a safe landing approach for larger aircraft.

In addition to the runway, the airport is equipped with three taxiways connecting the runway to the aircraft apron, measuring 30 m × 15 m (98 ft × 49 ft), 35 m × 28 m (115 ft × 92 ft), and 29 m × 28 m (95 ft × 92 ft), respectively. The airport has two aircraft aprons, measuring 220 m × 40 m (722 ft × 131 ft) and 108 m × 40 m (354 ft × 131 ft), respectively.