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Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport

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Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport
Bandar Udara Internasional Sultan Syarif Kasim II
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerGovernment of Indonesia
OperatorInJourney Airports
ServesPekanbaru
LocationPekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia
Opened1940 (1940)
Operating base for
Susi Air
Time zoneWIB (UTC+07:00)
Elevation AMSL104 ft (32 m)
Coordinates0°27′34″N 101°26′40″E / 0.45944°N 101.44444°E / 0.45944; 101.44444
Websitewww.sultansyarifkasim2-airport.co.id
Maps
Sumatra region in Indonesia
Sumatra region in Indonesia
PKU/WIBB is located in Riau
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB
Location of airport in Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia
Show map of Riau
PKU/WIBB is located in Sumatra
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB (Sumatra)
Show map of Sumatra
PKU/WIBB is located in Indonesia
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB (Indonesia)
Show map of Indonesia
PKU/WIBB is located in Southeast Asia
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB (Southeast Asia)
Show map of Southeast Asia
PKU/WIBB is located in Asia
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB
PKU/WIBB (Asia)
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Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
18/36 8,530 2,600 Asphalt
Statistics (2024)
Passengers2,740,043 (Decrease 0.5%)
Cargo (tonnes)20,311 (Increase 19.4%)
Aircraft movements22,751 (Decrease 1.8%)
Source: DGCA[1][2]

Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport (IATA: PKU, ICAO: WIBB) is an international airport serving the city of Pekanbaru, the provincial capital of Riau, Indonesia. The airport was formerly known as Simpang Tiga Airport, named after the subdistrict in which it is located. It was later renamed in honor of Sultan Syarif Kasim II (1893–1968), the last sultan of the Sultanate of Siak Sri Indrapura and was recognized as a national hero of Indonesia. The airport is located about 5 km (3.1 mi) from the center of Pekanbaru and serves as the main gateway to the city, the surrounding region, and Riau as a whole. The airport serves major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Medan, and Batam, as well as international destinations in neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Singapore.

The airport area and runway are shared with Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, a Type A airbase of the TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force). The airbase is named after the former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Roesmin Nurjadin. it served as the homebase of the 16th Air Squadron, which operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon,[3] and the 12th Air Squadron which operates the BAe Hawk Mk. 209 and Mk. 109.

History

Colonial history

The airport was originally built in 1930 by the Dutch colonial government, following permission from the Sultan of Siak, who donated 3,270 hectares of land for its development.[4] The airfield became known as Simpang Tiga Airfield, named after its location near a major intersection on the Trans-Sumatra Highway connecting Pekanbaru to Kampar Regency and Indragiri Hulu Regency. Its construction greatly enhanced the Dutch colonial administration's connectivity with the outside world. In addition to supporting trade, the airfield also served as a base for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force.[5] The airfield also served as a transit stop for KNILM (Royal Dutch Indies Airways) on its Batavia–Medan and Batavia–Singapore routes.[6]

The airport was seized by the Japanese during World War II, following the invasion of the Dutch East Indies and the subsequent Dutch capitulation. During the occupation, the airfield was used by a small squadron of aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. Owing to its strategic location near the Strait of Malacca, the airbase was considered a valuable asset, enabling the Japanese to conduct aerial patrols over the strait using aircraft stationed at the site.[5] The Japanese subsequently developed the airfield using forced laborers known as romusha, most of whom were recruited from Java.[7]

Following the Japanese surrender, the airfield was taken over by Republican militias. As part of efforts to reassert control over Riau, the Dutch attempted to retake the airbase. On 2 July 1946, a Dutch B-25 Mitchell bomber conducted a strafing run on the runway in preparation for the assault. In response, the militias shot down the aircraft, killing 11 Dutch airmen. One surviving crew member was captured, treated for his injuries, and later transferred to Bukittinggi as a prisoner of war.[5] The airfield was attacked again during Operation Kraai, as the Dutch sought to capture it.[8] Following a massive airstrike, Dutch forces landed paratroopers and captured the airfield on 1 January 1949. Republican militias largely withdrew, destroying several buildings and facilities beforehand to prevent them from falling into Dutch hands.[8]

Post-independence era

The former terminal building, demolished in 2013

Following the Dutch withdrawal from Indonesia, the newly established Garuda Indonesian Airways began serving Pekanbaru with flights from Jakarta, with stopovers in Padang or Palembang.[9] During the early years of independence, a new runway was constructed adjacent to the old airfield. Initially measuring 800 m (2,625 ft) and designated as runways 18 and 36, it was extended to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) in 1950.[10]

The airfield was captured by PRRI rebels during the civil war in Central Sumatra in the late 1950s and subsequently served as a major rebel base in Riau. It was recaptured by government forces on 16 March 1958 following a major offensive known as Operasi Tegas ("Operation Firm"), which involved a joint operation by special forces from the Indonesian Air Force and Indonesian Army.[11][12]

By 1967, both the runway and aircraft parking apron had been paved with asphalt to a thickness of 7 cm (2.8 in), while the runway had been extended by an additional 500 m (1,640 ft). At the time, Simpang Tiga Airport was designated as the main entry point for Caltex employees working at the company's oil refineries in Rumbai. Special flights were operated for them from Jakarta using Fokker F28 aircraft.[13]

On 1 April 1994, management of Simpang Tiga Airport was transferred to Angkasa Pura II, later rebranded as InJourney Airports. In 2000, the airport was renamed after Sultan Syarif Kasim II, the former Sultan of Siak, who advocated for the integration of Riau into Indonesia and was later recognized as a national hero of Indonesia. The renaming was ordered by then-President Abdurrahman Wahid, who issued a special decree authorizing the change.[14]

Contemporary history

In early 2010, the airport underwent its first major expansion with the construction of a modern terminal to replace the original facility, which had been built in the 1980s but had become overcrowded and unable to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and air traffic.[15] As part of the development, the old terminal was demolished to make way for expanded parking areas. The new terminal features a contemporary design, and a larger aircraft apron to accommodate growing air traffic.[16]

The airport has received several awards. In 2012 and 2013, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism consecutively awarded the airport the title of "Cleanest Airport Toilet."[17] In 2013, the airport was again named The Best Airport by Angkasa Pura II at Bandara Award 2013, held by Indonesia's Ministry of Culture and Tourism; it beat several prominent airports such as Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Minangkabau International Airport in Padang and many other airports that are managed under Angkasa Pura II.[18]

Facilities and development

Check-in area
Boarding gate

On 16 July 2012, a new terminal costing 165 billion rupiah was inaugurated, increasing the airport's annual passenger-handling capacity to 14 million.[19] The terminal was designed to accommodate eight narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-900ER, and two wide-body aircraft, equivalent in size to the Boeing 747, simultaneously. Covering 25,000 m² (183,000 sq ft), the terminal was complemented by an expanded aircraft apron capable of accommodating 10 wide-body aircraft, twice the capacity of the previous apron.[20] Its design combines Malay and modern architectural elements, with the structure inspired by the serindit, a bird native to Riau.[15]

As part of efforts to upgrade the airport's infrastructure, the runway was extended from 2,200 m (7,218 ft) to 2,600 m (8,530 ft) and widened from 30 m (98 ft) to 45 m (148 ft).[21] A further extension to 3,000 m (9,843 ft) was also planned.[16] The improvements were undertaken in preparation for the 2012 Pekan Olahraga Nasional, which was held in Pekanbaru. Although the new terminal opened in 2012, two of its three jet bridges did not enter service until late July 2014. The airport now has four jet bridges.[22] The former terminal was subsequently demolished to make way for an expanded apron, while a new air traffic control (ATC) tower was constructed to support the upgraded facilities.[16]

A further expansion project began in June 2013 and was completed in 2014. The airport's apron was expanded to 58,410 m² (628,700 sq ft), allowing it to accommodate up to 12 narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-900ER, as well as wide-body aircraft including the Airbus A330, Boeing 747, and Boeing 777.[23] The development also included plans for a parallel runway and further expansion of the passenger terminal, with Angkasa Pura II targeting an annual capacity of eight million passengers. The planned expansion also called for three additional jet bridges, increasing the total to seven. The airport was also designated to support Hajj pilgrimage flights, particularly serving pilgrims from Riau Province and Pekanbaru.[22]

New airport

Due to limited land availability and its proximity to the city center, where surrounding areas are densely developed with residential settlements, the airport has limited scope for further expansion. Plans are underway to construct a new airport in Siak Regency to replace the existing facility, which is operating beyond its intended capacity.[24][25] A study on the relocation and selection of a site for a new airport was conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation in 2007. The study identified a site in Siak Regency, located relatively close to the provincial capital, Pekanbaru. The proposed site covers a large area and is situated away from residential settlements. The proposed site for the new airport in Siak Regency is located approximately 97 km (60 mi) from Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru.[24]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
AirAsia Kuala Lumpur–International[26]
Batik Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[27]
Batik Air Malaysia Kuala Lumpur–International[28]
Citilink Batam,[29] Jakarta–Halim Perdanakusuma,[30] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[31]
Garuda Indonesia Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[32]
Lion Air Batam,[33] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[34] Kuala Lumpur–International,[35] Medan,[36] Surabaya,[37] Yogyakarta–International[38]
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International[39]
Pelita Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[40]
Scoot Singapore[41]
Super Air Jet Bandung–Husein Sastranegara (begins 4 November 2026),[42] Batam,[43] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[44] Medan[45]
Susi Air Dabo,[46] Padang,[1] Tanjung Balai Karimun[47]
Wings Air Gunungsitoli[48]

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Asia Cargo Airlines Bandung–Kertajati[49]
Cardig Air Jakarta–Halim Perdanakusuma[50]

Statistics

A Merpati Nusantara Airlines Fokker 100 landing at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport, 2003
A Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-400 at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport, 2003
Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics
Year
Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
2006 1,756,343 Steady 11,601 Steady 19,641 Steady
2007 1,839,684 Increase 4.7 11,346 Decrease 2.2 20,480 Increase 4.3
2008 1,834,302 Decrease 0.3 12,839 Increase 13.2 16,450 Decrease 19.7
2009 1,913,504 Increase 4.3 11,393 Decrease 11.3 19,835 Increase 20.6
20102,280,567Increase 19.212,979Increase 13.919,164Decrease 3.4
20112,527,367Increase 10.813,742Increase 5.919,556Increase 2.0
20122,772,264Increase 9.714,397Increase 4.821,797Increase 11.5
20133,257,547Increase 17.512,034Decrease 16.426,422Increase 21.2
20142,808,765Decrease 13.811,399Decrease 5.322,001Decrease 16.7
20152,670,046Decrease 4.99,319Decrease 18.219,206Decrease 12.7
20163,386,243Increase 26.810,431Increase 11.925,765Increase 34.2
20173,869,567Increase 14.317,126Increase 64.231,788Increase 23.4
20184,126,581Increase 6.622,761Increase 32.932,936Increase 3.6
20193,139,639Decrease 23.918,686Decrease 17.927,453Decrease 16.6
20201,420,453Decrease 54.817,189Decrease 9.015,404Decrease 43.9
20211,205,012Decrease 15.214,450Decrease 15.912,718Decrease 17.4
20222,244,924Increase 86.314,148Decrease 2.118,163Increase 42.8
20232,752,561Increase 22.617,018Increase 20.323,165Increase 27.5
2024 2,740,043 Decrease 0.5 20,311 Increase 19.4 22,751 Decrease 1.8
Source: DGCA, BPS[2][51]

Ground transportation

Bus

Route 1A of Trans Metro Pekanbaru connected the airport to downtown Pekanbaru.[52]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 28 April 1981, a Douglas C-47 operated by Airfast Indonesia was conducting a charter flight from Singapore to Pekanbaru, carrying four crew members and 13 employees of Hudbay Oil Company.[53] During the final approach to Simpang Tiga Airport, the right engine failed, resulting in a loss of power. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) short of the runway threshold. Three passengers sustained serious injuries, while the other 14 occupants were killed.[53]
  • On 29 September 1999, an Antonov An-12 operated by Air Sofia was conducting a cargo flight on behalf of Mandala Airlines.[54] During the final approach to Pekanbaru-Simpang Tiga Airport, the four-engine aircraft struck the ground approximately 1,300 m (4,265 ft) short of the runway and crashed, breaking into two sections. All seven crew members survived with minor injuries.[54]
  • On 14 January 2002, Lion Air Flight 386, a Boeing 737-200 operating from Pekanbaru to Batam, crashed during takeoff from Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport.[55] The aircraft's nose lifted off the runway, but it failed to become airborne despite increasing engine power, and the stick shaker activated. The captain subsequently rejected the takeoff and applied reverse thrust and braking. The crew turned the aircraft slightly to the right to avoid the approach lights, but the aircraft struck trees and came to a stop about 275 m (902 ft) beyond the runway end.[55] One passenger sustained serious injuries, while the remaining passengers suffered minor injuries. All crew members were uninjured. There were no fatalities, but the aircraft was written off as a total loss. The National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) subsequently determined that the most probable cause of the accident was the improper execution of the takeoff checklist.[55]

References

  1. "Bandar Udara Sultan Syarif Kasim II" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  2. "Statistik Transportasi Udara 2024". Statistics Indonesia. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  3. Harismanto (4 December 2014). "Lanud Roesmin Nurjadin Pekanbaru Kini Miliki Skuadron F16".
  4. Tanjung, Chaidir Anwar (14 August 2018). "Kala Rakyat Berdarah-darah Rebut Bandara Riau dari Penjajah Belanda". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  5. Tanjung, Chaidir Anwar. "Kala Rakyat Berdarah-darah Rebut Bandara Riau dari Penjajah Belanda". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  6. Sumbodo (5 September 2017). "Fokker Trimotor, Pesawat Pionir Penerbangan Sipil di Hindia Belanda". Aviation History of Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  7. Interaksi antar etnik di beberapa propinsi di Indonesia (in Indonesian). Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan, Direktorat Sejarah dan Nilai Tradisional, Proyek Inventarisasi dan Pembinaan Nilai-Nilai Budaya. 1989. p. 90.
  8. Daerah, Proyek Penelitian dan Pencatatan Kebudayaan (1978). Sejarah daerah Riau (in Indonesian). Proyek Penelitian dan Pencatatan Kebudayaan Daerah, Pusat Penelitian Sejarah dan Budaya, Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 222.
  9. Sjafari, Irvan (23 October 2015). "Seperti Burung Belajar Terbang dengan Sayap Sendiri: Garuda Indonesian Air Ways 1950-1958". KOMPASIANA (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  10. Supriatin (24 May 2024). "Sejarah Berdirinya Bandara Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Bandar Udara yang Bakal Dipindah ke Siak". merdeka.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  11. Asnan, Gusti (1 July 2007). Memikir ulang regionalisme: Sumatera Barat tahun 1950-an (in Indonesian). Yayasan Obor Indonesia. p. 195. ISBN 978-979-461-640-6.
  12. Udara, Indonesia Angkatan (1968). Angkasa (in Indonesian). p. 95.
  13. Almanak Sumatera (in Indonesian). Komando Antar Daerah Sumatera. 1969. p. 528.
  14. Azhar (5 April 2020). "Ketika Gus Dur Ubah Nama Bandara Simpang Tiga Menjadi Sultan Syarif Kasim II". Riau1.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  15. "Perluasan Bandara Pekanbaru Telan Rp 168 M". detiknews (in Indonesian). 16 July 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  16. Said, Muhammad (11 September 2012). "Proyek Bandara Pekanbaru Diselesaikan Setelah PON". Antara Riau (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  17. "Toilet Bandara Terindah dan Terbersih Se-Indonesia ada di Pekanbaru". beritasatu.com (in Indonesian). 28 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  18. "SSK II Best Airport 2013". Riau Pos (in Indonesian). 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  19. Azumar, Ali (16 July 2012). "Terminal Baru Bandara Pekanbaru Beroperasi". viva.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  20. "Terminal baru Bandara SSK beroperasi September". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). 25 June 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  21. Rosalina (16 February 2011). "Pemerintah Akan Perluas Landasan Bandara Pekanbaru". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  22. Lusiana, Vera (19 September 2017). "Bandara Sultan Syarif Kasim Pekanbaru Tambah Garbarata". Antara Riau (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  23. "Apron Bandara Sultan Syarif Kasim II Diperluas". Wartakotalive.com (in Indonesian). 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  24. Sulaeman (24 May 2024). "Bandara Sultan Syarif Kasim II Bakal Dipindah ke Siak, Segini Estimasi Jarak dan Waktu Tempuh ke Kota Pekanbaru". merdeka.com. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  25. aizin, Eko (23 May 2024). "Reaksi Bupati Siak soal Bandara SSK II Pekanbaru Bakal Pindah ke Wilayahnya". Suarariau.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  26. Siregar, Raja Adil (3 October 2022). "Bandara SSK II Pekanbaru Buka Kembali Penerbangan ke Kuala Lumpur". www.detik.com (in Indonesian).
  27. "Batik Air Flight from Soekarno Hatta International Airport to Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  28. "Batik Air Malaysia OD337". flyteam.jp. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  29. "Pekanbaru (PKU) to Batam Island (BTH) Flight Schedule". flyteam.jp.
  30. "Kini hadir rute Citilink HLP (Halim) - PKU (Pekanbaru) 7x seminggu di Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma". Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  31. "Citilink Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  32. "Garuda Indonesia Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  33. "Pekanbaru (PKU) to Batam Island (BTH) Flight Schedule". flyteam.jp.
  34. "Lion Air Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  35. "Lion Air JT160". flyteam.jp. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  36. "Lion Air Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Kualanamu International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  37. Azura, Siti (9 January 2024). "Lion Air Buka Rute Pekanbaru-Surabaya". riaupos.jawapos.com (in Indonesian).
  38. Media, Kompas Cyber (30 January 2022). "Lion Air Akan Buka Lagi Rute Yogyakarta-Pekanbaru PP Mulai Rp 935.200 Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  39. "Malaysia Airlines Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  40. "Mulai 12 April, Pelita Air Buka Rute Jakarta-Pekanbaru". rri. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  41. "Singapore, Singapore SIN". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1214–1219. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  42. "Airlines with direct flights from Pekanbaru (PKU) to Bandung (BDO)". www.flightsfrom.com.
  43. "Pekanbaru (PKU) to Batam Island (BTH) Flight Schedule". flyteam.jp.
  44. "Super Air Jet Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Soekarno Hatta International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  45. "Super Air Jet Flight from Sultan Syarif Kasim Ii International Airport to Kualanamu International Airport". www.airpaz.com.
  46. "Jadwal Lengkap dan Tarif Susi Air ke Bandara Dabo Singkep dan Kota Lain, Mulai Februari 2026". batam.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). 28 January 2026.
  47. "Jadwal Lengkap dan Tarif Susi Air ke Bandara Dabo Singkep dan Kota Lain, Mulai Februari 2026". batam.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). 28 January 2026.
  48. "Wings Air Buka Rute Baru Gunungsitoli ke Pekanbaru 19 Desember 2025". agent.lionairid. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  49. "Asia Cargo Airlines Launches First Cargo Flight from Kertajati Airport Since Pandemic Shutdown". Asian Business Review. 21 December 2021.
  50. "Cardig Air Mengudara Lagi Bawa Kargo 16 ton". ekonomi.bisnis.com (in Indonesian). 18 May 2020.
  51. "Statistik Angkatan Udara 2019" (PDF). DGCA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  52. "Tahukah Anda Sekarang Bus Trans Metro Pekanbaru Sudah Masuk Bandara". radarpekanbaru.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  53. "Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Pekanbaru: 14 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  54. "Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pekanbaru | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  55. "Crash of a Boeing 737-291 in Pekanbaru | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 19 September 2026.