Sentani Airport (IATA: DJJ, ICAO: WAJJ) is a class IA airport located in the city of Sentani, Jayapura Regency. The airport is approximately 40 km from the center of Jayapura City. It is the largest airport on the island of Papua and is the central hub for getting to the interior of Papua.
And since January 1, 2020, PT Angkasa Pura I has managed this main airport. How has Sentani Airport been able to stand firm until now? What events happened in the history of Sentani Airport? Keep reading to find out!
Early History of Sentani Airport
Sentani Airport is the primary air gateway for Papua. Historically, Japan created this airport, then the United States took over it. Later, Dutch then controlled it fully.
Sentani Airport is located in Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, Papua. The airport is located on the shores of Lake Sentani and serves flights to major cities in Indonesia.
Sentani Airport is also the home base for pioneer airlines to the interior of Papua. History of Sentani Airport originated as a Japanese military airfield built during World War II or the Pacific War.
Japan, World War II, and the Pacific War
Japanese forces locate a total of 139 bombers and 125 fighter at Sentani airfield. These Japanese planes made a line with wing tips close together.
Allied forces captured Sentani airfield under the command of General Douglas Mac Arthur on April 22, 1944. In this battle, American warplanes managed to destroy 199 Japanese aircraft parked on the runway.
America only lost four warplanes. The Japanese flew the remaining survivors to the Wakde Island airport, Sarmi.
General Mac Arthur and the American troops celebrated the success by drinking ice cream and coca cola. Meanwhile, the Australian, British and Dutch troops celebrated by drinking beer.
General McArthur and the Allies
In the wake of the Japanese abandonment of Sentani airport, Mac Arthur assigned a technical engineer to inspect its surface. They were very disappointed because the Japanese made an airstrip in a short time in the sago swamp land and only devoted to Japan’s Zero aircraft, which weighed about 2.7 tons.
The Japanese poorly drained the Sentani airport airfield, and it was difficult for fully loaded bombers not to hit the Cyclops hills during takeoff.
American engineers were then assigned to build a new runway in a former Japanese airfield. This new runway had to be improved, and American aircraft that weighed ten times as much as the Japanese Zeros could use it.
The Pacific War’s Aftermath
After the Pacific War, Dutch controlled Sentani airfield until 1962. The Dutch used this airport as an airfield for commercial and fighter aircraft.
After the Dutch left Papua, the Indonesian government managed Sentani airport. The history of Sentani Airport remains, and now they have extended its airstrip and airport support facilities.
Current Airlines and Destinations of Sentani Airport
- Batik Air
- Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta, Makassar, Timika
- Citilink
- Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta, Makassar
- Garuda Indonesia
- Biak, Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta, Makassar, Merauke, Timika
- Lion Air
- Biak, Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta, Makassar, Manokwari, Merauke, Sorong, Timika
- PNG Air
- Mount Hagen
- Sriwijaya Air
- Biak, Makassar, Sorong, Timika, Manokwari
- Trigana Air Service
- Dekai, Nabire, Oksibil, Wamena
- Wings Air
- Dekai, Kaimana, Nabire, Timika, Wamena
Don’t Do This If You are at Sentani Airport
At Sentani Airport, you can find a unique prohibition sign beside the no smoking sign: “It is forbidden to eat betel nut” or a sign prohibiting eating betel nut. It is because Papuans often chew betel nuts and throw away the juice carelessly. That caused the juice to splatter everywhere.
Final Takeaway
Despite the history of Sentani airport, which is entirely preceded by clashes and wars, this airport has now even built a runway of 3,000 meters. In addition, the local airport is completing the construction of a connecting runway (taxi way). Also, it now has a garbarata.
