TNI restores security at 11 pioneer airports across three Papua regions
Jakarta — The Commander of the Combined Regional Defence Command III (Pangkogabwilhan III), Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi, has confirmed that 11 pioneer airports across three Papua regions have been fully secured by TNI personnel following security disruptions caused by armed criminal groups (KKB).
“Alhamdulillah, TNI forces are now stationed at all pioneer airports and have restored conducive conditions in the three Papua regions—Pegunungan Papua, South Papua, and Central Papua—which were previously closed by the Ministry of Transportation on 16 February,” Bambang stated in remarks confirmed in Jakarta on Monday.
Bambang made the announcement after personally visiting several pioneer airports alongside the Commander of the Air Force Regional Command III (Pangkodau III), Air Vice Marshal Azhar Aditama Djojosugito, and other TNI personnel. One such visit was to Manggelum District in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.
The 11 pioneer airports, guarded round-the-clock by TNI, comprise: Iwur, Teiraplu, and Aboy airports in Pegunungan Papua; Korowai Batu Bomakia, Yaniruma, and Manggelum airports in South Papua; and Beoga, Dagai, Fawi, and Kapiraya airports in Central Papua.
Security operations are conducted in an integrated manner to ensure flight operations proceed safely and smoothly. Beyond securing airport perimeters, TNI also supports air traffic services through the Air Force’s Rapid Mobile Force Corps (Korpasgat), which assists Air Traffic Controller (ATC) functions.
This inter-service coordination between ground and air forces demonstrates TNI’s readiness to protect vital national assets in vulnerable regions.
According to Bambang, the restoration of security at these 11 pioneer airports represents evidence of the state’s presence in safeguarding territorial sovereignty whilst guaranteeing public safety in Cenderawasih Land (Papua).
He emphasised that pioneer airports in Papua are more than mere air transport infrastructure, particularly in regions characterised by dense forests, mountains, and hills. These airports serve as lifelines for local communities, functioning as vital channels for logistics distribution, healthcare services, educational access, and economic mobility for inland residents.
“Together with all elements of the nation in Cenderawasih Land, let us protect and maintain these pioneer airports as symbols of Papua’s sovereignty, progress, and prosperity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
The security closure followed a 11 February 2026 shooting incident that killed a pilot and co-pilot of a pioneer aircraft. Both were shot by KKB after flying a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft (PK-SNR) operated by PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation on the Tanah Merah (TMH)–Danawage/Koroway Batu (DNW) route.
On 18 February 2026, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced the government’s temporary closure of the 11 pioneer airports in Papua as a preventive measure following the incident.