Smart Air Incident: 11 Pioneer Airports in Papua Temporarily Closed
A total of 11 pioneer airports in Papua have had their operations temporarily suspended following the shooting of a Cessna Grand Caravan PK-SNR aircraft belonging to PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation on 11 February 2026. The closures were implemented as a security risk mitigation measure across several pioneer flight destination areas.
Pioneer flights constitute a vital service for the people of Papua, particularly for access to healthcare, education, logistics distribution, and basic mobility in remote areas. "Their security is absolutely crucial and must be safeguarded," said Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa in an official statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The eleven airports or service units (satpel) and airstrips (lapter) are: Koroway Batu Service Unit, Bomakia Airport, Yaniruma Service Unit, Manggelum Service Unit, Kapiraya Airstrip, Iwur Airstrip, Faowi Airstrip, Dagai Airstrip, Aboy Airstrip, Teraplu Airstrip, and Beoga Airstrip. Operations will resume once security forces are deployed and conditions are declared conducive.
"Operational activities at these airports will reopen after receiving security support from TNI/Polri personnel and once security conditions are declared conducive and meet aviation safety standards," said Lukman.
In addition, five airports have been classified as controlled-risk status, having already received security support allowing flights to continue under heightened vigilance: Kiwirok Airport, Moanamani Airport, Sinak Service Unit in Ilaga, Agandugume Service Unit in Ilaga, and Illu Airport.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, said that the surviving passengers voluntarily collected funds and entrusted them to a pilot representative as a gesture of empathy and condolence. "The solidarity of the passengers demonstrates that the Korowai community is highly dependent on aircraft. It is their only means of access. There are no overland routes, and the area is extremely remote," said Yusuf on Monday.
Korowai, he explained, is located in Boven Digoel Regency, an area dominated by dense forest covering a vast expanse. The population comprises approximately 100 households. Healthcare facilities are limited and there is only one private primary school. Residents live around a small airstrip that serves as the lifeline for mobility and distribution of basic necessities.
Meanwhile, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) explained its reasons for shooting the pilot and co-pilot of Smart Air at Korowai Airstrip in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.
TPNPB central command spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the Korowai area falls within the operational territory of TPNPB militia under Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI/Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak with Kopitua Heluka as operations commander. "We shall be direct — TPNPB has long issued warnings for Indonesians to leave Papuan territory, particularly in conflict zones," said Sebby via a WhatsApp voice message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TPNPB, he continued, has designated the Boven Digoel area within the Kodap XVI/Yahukimo operational territory as a conflict zone, meaning various armed clashes are regarded as commonplace.
Pioneer flights constitute a vital service for the people of Papua, particularly for access to healthcare, education, logistics distribution, and basic mobility in remote areas. "Their security is absolutely crucial and must be safeguarded," said Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa in an official statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The eleven airports or service units (satpel) and airstrips (lapter) are: Koroway Batu Service Unit, Bomakia Airport, Yaniruma Service Unit, Manggelum Service Unit, Kapiraya Airstrip, Iwur Airstrip, Faowi Airstrip, Dagai Airstrip, Aboy Airstrip, Teraplu Airstrip, and Beoga Airstrip. Operations will resume once security forces are deployed and conditions are declared conducive.
"Operational activities at these airports will reopen after receiving security support from TNI/Polri personnel and once security conditions are declared conducive and meet aviation safety standards," said Lukman.
In addition, five airports have been classified as controlled-risk status, having already received security support allowing flights to continue under heightened vigilance: Kiwirok Airport, Moanamani Airport, Sinak Service Unit in Ilaga, Agandugume Service Unit in Ilaga, and Illu Airport.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, said that the surviving passengers voluntarily collected funds and entrusted them to a pilot representative as a gesture of empathy and condolence. "The solidarity of the passengers demonstrates that the Korowai community is highly dependent on aircraft. It is their only means of access. There are no overland routes, and the area is extremely remote," said Yusuf on Monday.
Korowai, he explained, is located in Boven Digoel Regency, an area dominated by dense forest covering a vast expanse. The population comprises approximately 100 households. Healthcare facilities are limited and there is only one private primary school. Residents live around a small airstrip that serves as the lifeline for mobility and distribution of basic necessities.
Meanwhile, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) explained its reasons for shooting the pilot and co-pilot of Smart Air at Korowai Airstrip in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.
TPNPB central command spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the Korowai area falls within the operational territory of TPNPB militia under Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI/Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak with Kopitua Heluka as operations commander. "We shall be direct — TPNPB has long issued warnings for Indonesians to leave Papuan territory, particularly in conflict zones," said Sebby via a WhatsApp voice message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TPNPB, he continued, has designated the Boven Digoel area within the Kodap XVI/Yahukimo operational territory as a conflict zone, meaning various armed clashes are regarded as commonplace.