🔑 Key Takeaways
- Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation has released a list of five airports in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) that sustained significant damage from a late 2025 earthquake, outlining an ambitious recovery plan for 2026.
- El Tari Kupang and Komodo Labuan Bajo airports are among the most severely affected, requiring substantial funding and urgent rehabilitation strategies to restore vital regional connectivity.
- The total projected recovery budget amounts to trillions of Rupiah, emphasizing inter-sectoral coordination and the application of cutting-edge construction technologies to ensure NTT's aviation infrastructure becomes more resilient.
JAKARTA, February 14, 2026 – The Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia today announced the official list of five airports in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province that suffered significant structural damage due to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the region in late 2025. This announcement comes with detailed projections for the 2026 budget and an ambitious recovery timeline, affirming the government's commitment to swiftly restore air connectivity in one of Indonesia's most crucial tourism gateways.
The earthquake's impact not only disrupted flight operations but also inflicted substantial economic losses on NTT. The five identified airports with damage include:
- El Tari Airport (Kupang): Damage to the passenger terminal, control tower, and a section of the runway.
- Komodo Airport (Labuan Bajo): Cracks on the apron and parts of the terminal's supporting facilities.
- Frans Seda Airport (Maumere): Minor damage to general facilities and parking areas.
- H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (Ende): Cracks in several administrative buildings and connecting taxiways.
- Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport (Waingapu): Damage to navigation facilities and cargo buildings.
2026 Budget Allocation and Recovery Strategy
Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, stated in his virtual press conference, “We have allocated an initial budget of IDR 2.7 trillion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase in 2026. Our top priority is El Tari Kupang and Komodo Labuan Bajo airports, given their vital roles as primary hubs and tourism gateways. We aim for most airports to be fully operational at normal capacity by the third quarter of this year.”
The recovery strategy will be divided into several stages, starting with detailed damage assessments, emergency repairs to ensure minimum operations, followed by full reconstruction. The government also plans to utilize the latest earthquake-resistant construction technologies to ensure more resilient infrastructure in the future.
“Cross-ministerial and institutional cooperation, including with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and the National Disaster Management Agency, is crucial,” Budi added. “We are also maintaining close communication with airlines to manage alternative routes and temporary flight schedules to minimize impacts on passengers and logistics.”
Economic Impact and Projected Revival
The tourism sector, heavily reliant on air accessibility, was among the hardest hit. Labuan Bajo, as the gateway to Komodo National Park, experienced a significant drop in visitor numbers post-earthquake. However, the government remains optimistic about a swift recovery.
Aviation Economic Analyst, Dr. Mira Kusuma from the University of Indonesia, emphasized the importance of rapid recovery. “Every day an airport is closed means millions of dollars in losses for the local economy. The large investment in rehabilitation is not just about infrastructure repair; it's an investment in revitalizing NTT's economic pulse. With realistic recovery targets for 2026, we can expect the tourism sector to begin its rebound by late this year or early 2027.”
In addition to tourism, local logistics and trade sectors were also affected by disrupted air routes. However, expedited repair efforts are expected to minimize long-term impacts. The Ministry of Transportation also plans to host an investment forum to attract private sector participation in rebuilding infrastructure, including upgrading facilities to be more modern and sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What was the primary cause of damage to NTT airports?
A: The primary cause of damage was a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the East Nusa Tenggara region in late 2025.
Q: Which airports suffered the most severe damage?
A: El Tari Airport in Kupang and Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo were identified as the most severely damaged airports and are top priorities for recovery efforts.
Q: When are NTT's airport operations expected to fully recover?
A: The Ministry of Transportation targets most airports to be fully operational at normal capacity by the third quarter of 2026, with full recovery and construction of more resilient infrastructure continuing through late 2026 and early 2027.
