Sultan Muhammad Salahudin Airport

{{Short description|Airport in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia}} {{Infobox airport | nativename = Bandar Udara Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin | name = Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport | image = | image-width = 200px | image2 = BimaAirport5.jpg | image2-width = 250px | pushpin_map = Indonesia Sumbawa#Indonesia Lesser Sunda Islands | pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Sumbawa]]##Location in the [[Lesser Sunda Islands]] | pushpin_label = '''BMU'''/WADB | caption2 = | IATA = BMU | ICAO = WADB | type = Public | owner = [[Government of Indonesia]] | operator = [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Indonesia)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] | city-served = [[Bima]], [[West Nusa Tenggara]], [[Indonesia]] | location = [[Sumbawa]] | timezone = [[Central Indonesia Time|WITA]] | utc = [[UTC+08:00]] | elevation-f = 3 | elevation-m = 1 | coordinates = {{coord|08|32|23|S|118|41|14|E|type:airport|display=inline}} | website = | r1-number = 13/31 | r1-length-f = 7,218 | r1-length-m = 2,200 | r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]] | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 123,028 ({{decrease}} 13.39%) | stat2-header = Cargo (tonnes) | stat2-data = 91.62 ({{decrease}} 4.80%) | stat3-header = Aircraft movements | stat3-data = 2,426 ({{decrease}} 15.73%) | stat-year = 2024 | footnotes = Source: DGCA<ref name="kemhub">{{Cite web |title=Bandar Udara Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin|url=https://hubud.kemenhub.go.id/hubud/website/bandara/40|publisher=[[Ministry of Transportation (Indonesia)|Ministry of Transportation]]|language=id |access-date=6 May 2025}}</ref><ref name=DGCA2023>{{cite web |title=Statistik Transportasi Udara 2024 |url=https://www.bps.go.id/id/publication/2025/12/01/bc846757b984590277001b43/statistik-transportasi-udara-2024.html |date=1 December 2025|access-date=16 March 2026 |publisher=[[Statistics Indonesia]]}}</ref> }}

'''Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport''' {{airport codes|BMU|WADB}} is a domestic airport located approximately {{convert|10|km|mi|1}} to the south of the city of [[Bima]], the largest town on the island of [[Sumbawa]], [[West Nusa Tenggara]], [[Indonesia]]. The airport was previously known as '''Palibelo Airport''' {{airport codes|PBW|WRRB}}, named after the district in which it is located. The name was later discontinued when the airport was renamed in honor of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin, the last ruler of the [[Bima Sultanate]] and a [[National Hero of Indonesia|national hero of Indonesia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sipahutar |first=Celvin Moniaga |date=10 November 2025 |title=Daftar Lengkap Tokoh Penerima Gelar Pahlawan Nasional 2025 |url=https://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/2939334/daftar-lengkap-tokoh-penerima-gelar-pahlawan-nasional-2025 |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=beritasatu.com |language=id}}</ref> The airport is the largest and busiest in Sumbawa, and one of only two airports on the island that serve regular scheduled flights, the other being [[Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport]] in [[Sumbawa Besar]] in the western part of Sumbawa. It serves as the main gateway to Bima and the eastern region of the island, with regular flights to [[Denpasar]], [[Lombok]], and [[Makassar]].

== History == [[File:Bima Airport.jpg|thumb|left|The former terminal, now demolished]] The first recorded aircraft to land at what is now Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport was a [[Vickers Vimy]] on 9 December 1919, piloted by Captain [[Ross Macpherson Smith]] alongside his brother, Lieutenant [[Keith Macpherson Smith]], as part of their historic [[1919 England to Australia flight|1919 England–Australia flight]] from [[London]] to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Fahrurizki |title=Jejak Sejarah Landasan Palibelo: Pendaratan Pesawat Pertama di Bima |url=http://www.mbojoklopedia.com/2026/01/jejak-sejarah-landasan-palibelo.html |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Mbojoklopedia}}</ref> The aircraft made a brief stop in Bima to refuel, with fuel supplied by the [[Bataafse Petroleum Maatschappij]] (BPM), before continuing to [[Kupang]] and ultimately [[Australia]]. In 1920, another notable aviator, [[John Cowe McIntosh]], also carried out an emergency landing at Palibelo when his aircraft was forced to refuel in Bima.<ref name=":0" /> The selection of Palibelo by the Smith brothers was not coincidental, as the site proved to be strategically important from an aeronautical perspective. In the years that followed, several prominent aviators used the location as a stopover. Among them was [[Amy Johnson]], who in 1930 became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia and also stopped at Palibelo for refueling. Amy Johnson’s visit coincided with the birth of the fifth daughter of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin. Inspired by her achievements as a pioneering female aviator, the Sultan named his daughter Amy.<ref name=":0" />

Further development of Bima Airport began after it was used as a landing ground during the 1920 “Great Britain” air race. In 1927, formal measurements of the runway were conducted, and it has since reached a length of 1,647 meters. By the 1930s, a small commercial airport had been established at the site, operated by [[KLM]].<ref name=":0" /> Initially, the airport had only a simple runway made of woven bamboo. During the [[Pacific War]] in [[World War II]], the airfield was used by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) as a transit and refueling point after it joined [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] operations in the campaign against [[Empire of Japan|Japan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sayyid |first=Ibnu |date=2025-11-05 |title=Pengembangan Bandara Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Bima Jadi Prioritas Strategis untuk Kemajuan Ekonomi dan Pariwisata Daerah |url=https://pilarmedianusantara.com/pengembangan-bandara-sultan-muhammad-salahuddin-bima-jadi-prioritas-strategis-untuk-kemajuan-ekonomi-dan-pariwisata-daerah/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Pilar Media Nusantara |language=id}}</ref>

Following the end of the war, the airport was handed over to the newly independent [[Government of Indonesia|Indonesian government]] and began serving commercial flights. In the 1960s, [[Zamrud Aviation Corporation]] introduced a route connecting Bima and [[Makassar]], which operated for several years before being discontinued.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Abubakar |first=M. Dahlan |date=2014-02-02 |title='Tamatnya' Kisah Merpati Tautkan Histori Makassar-Bima |url=https://www.kompasiana.com/www.independen.co/5528ae54f17e61eb768b4585/tamatnya-kisah-merpati-tautkan-histori-makassar-bima |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=KOMPASIANA |language=id}}</ref> In 1962, [[Merpati Nusantara Airlines]] also launched services on the same route, maintaining operations until the 1980s. Decades later, [[Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter]] (SMAC) revived the Bima–Makassar route in 2011 using a [[CASA C-212 Aviocar]], albeit with a stopover in [[Selayar Islands Regency|Selayar]]. Merpati Nusantara Airlines briefly reinstated the route in early 2012 with a [[Xi'an MA60|Xian MA-60]], but the service ended in February 2014 when the airline ceased operations.<ref name=":1" /> At present, the Bima–Makassar route is served exclusively by [[Wings Air]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Imansyah |first=Nur |date=2025-06-12 |title=Bandara Bima buka rute ke Labuan Bajo tingkatkan arus wisatawan |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4895573/bandara-bima-buka-rute-ke-labuan-bajo-tingkatkan-arus-wisatawan |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Antara News |language=id}}</ref>

== Facilities and development == [[File:BimaAirport1.jpg|thumb|Apron view of the airport]] [[File:BimaAirport2.jpg|thumb|Check-in hall]] [[File:BimaAirport4.jpg|thumb|Boarding hall]] [[File:BimaAirport3.jpg|thumb|Baggage claim area]] A major expansion of the airport was carried out between 2010 and 2020. This included the construction of a larger passenger terminal to replace the old facility, which had been operating beyond its capacity due to rising passenger numbers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Rusadin |first=Edo |date=18 September 2020 |title=Intip Fasilitas Mewah Terminal Baru Bandara Bima |url=https://www.porosntb.com/2020/09/intip-fasilitas-mewah-terminal-baru.html |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Poros NTB |language=id}}</ref> The runway was also extended from 1,650 m × 30 m to 2,200 m × 30 m, enabling it to accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the [[Boeing 737]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=R.H. |first=Priyambodo |date=2011-10-20 |title=Pembebasan lahan Bandara Bima segera tuntas |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/280802/pembebasan-lahan-bandara-bima-segera-tuntas |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Antara News |language=id}}</ref> There are further plans to extend the runway to 2,500 m; however, this has been delayed due to land acquisition and clearance issues.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khafid |first=Supriyantho |date=3 March 2010 |title=Landas Pacu Bandara di Bima Diperpanjang |url=https://www.tempo.co/arsip/landas-pacu-bandara-di-bima-diperpanjang-1836432 |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Tempo |language=id}}</ref> The new terminal began operations in September 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=29 September 2021 |title=Kepala Bandara : Sudah Mulai Operasi Terminal Baru Bandara SMS Bima |url=https://www.mediadinamikaglobal.id/2021/09/kepala-bandara-sudah-mulai-operasi.html |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Media Dinamika Global |language=id}}</ref> while the old terminal was demolished to make way for a new cargo terminal, as well as the expansion of the apron and parking areas.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title=Terminal Baru Bandara Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Bima Siap Beroperasi Pekan Depan |url=https://www.wartamu.id/terminal-baru-bandara-sultan-muhammad-salahuddin-bima-siap-beroperasi-pekan-depan/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=WARTAMU.ID |language=id}}</ref> Covering an area of 5,000 m², the new terminal consists of two floors and is equipped with international-standard facilities, featuring a larger and more spacious check-in hall and boarding gates.<ref name=":3" />

== Airlines and destinations ==  {{airport-dest-list | [[TransNusa]] | [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]]<ref name="koran_indonesia">{{cite web |title=Mulai 15 Desember, TransNusa Perluas Layanan Ke Indonesia Timur|url=https://koran-jakarta.com/2025-12-06/mulai-15-desember-transnusa-perluas-layanan-ke-indonesia-timur|website=Koran Jakarta|lang=id|date=6 December 2025 |access-date=6 December 2025}}</ref>  | [[Wings Air]] | [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]] (resumes 3 June 2026),<ref>{{cite web|title=Rute Baru Wings Air|url=https://agent.lionair.co.id/LionAirAgentsPortal/Default.aspx/}}</ref> [[Lombok International Airport|Lombok]], [[Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport|Makassar]] }}

== Statistics == {| class="wikitable sortable" style="padding:0.5em;" |+Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics !{{center|Year}} !{{center|Passengers handled}} !{{center|Passenger % change}} !{{center|Cargo (tonnes)}} !{{center|Cargo % change}} !{{center|Aircraft movements}} !{{center|Aircraft % change}} |- style="background:#eee;" |2006 |39,841 |{{nochange}} |129.15 |{{nochange}} |853 |{{nochange}} |- style="background:#eee;" |2007 |36,928 |{{decrease}} 7.31 |155.21 |{{increase}} 20.18 |710 |{{decrease}} 16.76 |- style="background:#eee;" |2008 |58,975 |{{increase}} 59.70 |188.64 |{{increase}} 21.54 |1,058 |{{increase}} 49.01 |- style="background:#eee;" |2009 |74,004 |{{increase}} 25.48 |156.82 |{{decrease}} 16.87 |1,486 |{{increase}} 40.45 |- style="background:#eee;" |2010 |71,042 |{{decrease}} 4.00 |74.25 |{{decrease}} 52.65 |1,516 |{{increase}} 2.02 |- style="background:#eee;" |2011 |82,334 |{{increase}} 15.89 |63.87 |{{decrease}} 13.98 |1,982 |{{increase}} 30.74 |- style="background:#eee;" |2012 |115,256 |{{increase}} 39.99 |112.70 |{{increase}} 76.45 |2,701 |{{increase}} 36.28 |- style="background:#eee;" |2013 |152,973 |{{increase}} 32.72 |88.68 |{{decrease}} 21.31 |3,198 |{{increase}} 18.40 |- style="background:#eee;" |2014 |112,105 |{{decrease}} 26.72 |64.83 |{{decrease}} 26.89 |3,728 |{{increase}} 16.57 |- style="background:#eee;" |2015 |152,140 |{{increase}} 35.71 |212.80 |{{increase}} 228.24 |2,631 |{{decrease}} 29.43 |- style="background:#eee;" |2016 |245,381 |{{increase}} 61.29 |116.64 |{{decrease}} 45.19 |4,301 |{{increase}} 63.47 |- style="background:#eee;" |2017 |295,732 |{{increase}} 20.52 |124.10 |{{increase}} 6.40 |5,507 |{{increase}} 28.04 |- style="background:#eee;" |2018 |381,815 |{{increase}} 29.11 |164.74 |{{increase}} 32.75 |6,133 |{{increase}} 11.37 |- style="background:#eee;" |2019 |308,233 |{{decrease}} 19.27 |113.92 |{{decrease}} 30.85 |5,230 |{{decrease}} 14.72 |- style="background:#eee;" |2020 |171,908 |{{decrease}} 44.23 |79.61 |{{decrease}} 30.12 |3,214 |{{decrease}} 38.55 |- style="background:#eee;" |2021 |129,389 |{{decrease}} 24.73 |73.96 |{{decrease}} 7.10 |2,456 |{{decrease}} 23.58 |- style="background:#eee;" |2022 |143,979 |{{increase}} 11.28 |79.37 |{{increase}} 7.31 |2,442 |{{decrease}} 0.57 |- style="background:#eee;" |2023 |142,048 |{{decrease}} 1.34 |96.24 |{{increase}} 21.25 |2,879 |{{increase}} 17.90 |- style="background:#eee;" |2024 |123,028 |{{decrease}} 13.39 |91.62 |{{decrease}} 4.80 |2,426 |{{decrease}} 15.73 |- | colspan="7" style="text-align:right;" |Source: DGCA, BPS<ref name="DGCA2023" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019 |url=https://hubud.kemenhub.go.id/hubud/website/assets/file/bukustatistik/060053156d589186ca60f1256a23d81a.pdf |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=DGCA}}</ref> |}

==Accidents and incidents==

* On 27 March 2023, [[Wings Air]] Flight 1865, bound for [[Lombok]] from Bima, aborted its takeoff due to a mechanical issue. The aircraft had already entered the runway and was preparing for departure when the pilot decided to return to the terminal. None of the 65 passengers were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sukirman |first=Bagus Gema Praditiya |date=26 March 2023 |title=Diduga Rusak, Pesawat Wings Air Gagal Terbang di Bandara Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Bima |url=https://video.tribunnews.com/view/583330/diduga-rusak-pesawat-wings-air-gagal-terbang-di-bandara-sultan-muhammad-salahuddin-bima |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Tribun Video |language=id-ID}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929211844/http://aviation-safety.net/database/airport/airport.php?id=BMU Accident history for BMU / WADB - Bima Airport - Indonesia] at [[Aviation Safety Network]]

[[Category:Airports in West Nusa Tenggara]]