Ranai-Natuna Airport Explained

Ranai-Natuna Airport
Nativename:Bandar Udara Ranai-Natuna
Iata:NTX
Icao:WIDO
Pushpin Map:South China Sea#Indonesia Riau Islands
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in South China Sea##Location in Riau Islands
Pushpin Label:NTX
Pushpin Label Position:right
Type:Civil/military
Owner:Government of Indonesia
Operator:Ministry of Transportation
Indonesian Air Force
City-Served:Ranai Kota, Natuna Regency
Location:Ranai Kota, Great Natuna, Riau Islands, Indonesia
Timezone:WIB
Coordinates:3.9087°N 108.3879°W
Elevation-F:7
Elevation-M:2
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:18/36
R1-Length-M:2560
R1-Length-F:8399
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Footnotes:Sources: World Airport Codes https://www.world-airport-codes.com/indonesia/natuna-ranai-5140.html; Indonesian Ministry of Transportation http://www.dephub.go.id/welcome/readPost/jelang-diresmikan-presiden,-menhub-cek-kesiapan-terminal-bandara-ranai-natuna

Ranai-Natuna Airport or Natuna-Ranai Airport, formerly Raden Sadjad Airport, is located in Ranai Kota, the capital city of Natuna Regency, on the Natuna archipelago in the Natuna Sea. The airport is also a Type B airbase of the Indonesian Air Force.[1] The airport also serves civilian flights.

Due to the ongoing South China Sea dispute, the Indonesian government has decided to expand the airport to accommodate large military aircraft. Additional facilities, such as aircraft hangars, ILS, refueling hangar are also currently being added. More military personnel are also stationed. The government are also planning to lengthen the airport's runway from 2.560 m to 3.000 m to accommodate large military aircraft.[2] This would act as a deterrent against foreign ships from entering Indonesian waters. The expansion of the airbase is also to prevent illegal foreign fishing boats from entering Indonesian waters. Many fishing boats from China, Vietnam, Malaysia have often entered Indonesian waters illegally.

A new passenger terminal was inaugurated on 6 October 2016. It was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo.[3] [4]

Facilities

The airport resides at an elevation of 2m (07feet) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 18/36 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,560 m x 32 m (8,399 ft × 105 ft). The runway is planned to be widened to 45 m in the future. Moreover, the airport has an apron measuring 120 m x 60 m and a taxiway measuring 50 m x 32 m.[5]

The recently built terminal at the airport has an area of 3,868 m², many times larger than the old terminal which only has an area of 243 m². The new terminal can accommodate around 385 passengers daily.[6] The parking lot has been expanded to 5.020 m² and can now cater to around 154 cars and 32 motorcycles. Other facilities inside the airport are the Aviation Accidents Rescue and Fire Fighting building, generator and pump house.

Statistics

Frequency of flights at Ranai Airport
RankDestinationsFrequency (weekly)Airline(s)
1Batam, Riau Islands14NAM Air, Wings Air

References

  1. Web site: Kenaikan Tipe Lanud Natuna, untuk Jawab Tantangan • JakartaGreater. 13 January 2016. 8 February 2017.
  2. Web site: Pesawat Tempur Mulai Disiagakan di Lanud Ranai. Serantau News dot. COM. 8 February 2017.
  3. http://news.detik.com/berita/d-3314760/presiden-jokowi-resmikan-terminal-bandara-ranai-di-pulau-natuna Presiden Jokowi Resmikan Terminal Bandara Ranai di Pulau Natuna
  4. Web site: Jokowi Resmikan Terminal Bandara Ranai Natuna. 7 October 2016 . 8 February 2017.
  5. Web site: Jelang Diresmikan Presiden, Menhub Cek Kesiapan Terminal Bandara Ranai Natuna. Asep Muhamad. . 8 February 2017.
  6. Web site: Jokowi Resmikan Terminal Bandara Ranai Natuna. 7 October 2016 . 8 February 2017.