Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport Bandar Udara Abdul Rachman Saleh | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner | Government of Indonesia Indonesian Air Force | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Directorate General of Civil Aviation | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Malang | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Pakis,Malang,East Java 65154,Indonesia | ||||||||||||||
| Built | 1937; 88 years ago (1937) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+07:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 526 m / 1,726 ft | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 07°55′42″S112°42′48″E / 7.92833°S 112.71333°E /-7.92833; 112.71333[2] | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
  MLG/WARA Location of airport in Java | |||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2019) | |||||||||||||||
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| Source:DGCA[5]DAFIF[6][7] | |||||||||||||||
| Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Force Base | |
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Pangkalan Udara (Lanud) Abdul Rachman Saleh | |
Part of the Indonesian National Armed Forces | |
| East Java, Indonesia | |
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| Site information | |
| Type |  Air Force base |
| Owner |  Indonesian Air Force |
| Controlled by | Government of Indonesia |
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| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | Air Marshal Fairlyanto, S.T., M.A.P.[8] |
| Occupants |
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Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (IATA:MLG,ICAO:WARA; formerly WIAS) is an airport servingMalang, the second-largest city inEast Java province ofIndonesia. This airport is named afterAbdul Rachman Saleh (1909-1947), an Indonesian aviator and physiologist whose aircraft was shot down by the Dutch while landing in Maguwo Airfield (nowAdisucipto Airport),Sleman Regency,Special Region of Yogyakarta, during theIndonesian National Revolution. The airport currently operates a single route toJakarta, serving flights from bothSoekarno-Hatta International Airport andHalim Perdanakusuma Airport. In addition to functioning as a commercial airport, the facility is also a Type A airbase of theIndonesian Air Force. It serves as the primary base for the 4th, 21st, and 32nd Air Squadrons.
Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport was originally built by theDutch colonial government between 1937 and 1940 as a military airbase for theNetherlands East Indies Air Force. It was developed alongside other key airbases, including Maospati Air Base (nowIswahyudi Air Base) inMagetan, Panasan Air Base (nowAdisumarmo International Airport) inSolo, and Maguwo Air Base (nowAdisutjipto Airport) inYogyakarta.[9] At the time, the airport was known as Bugis Airbase. Strategically located at the foot of the mountain, the airbase benefits from natural fortifications that make it less visible from the air. Fog frequently obscures the area, making it difficult for enemy aircraft to detect the airbase when passing overhead. Recognizing its defensive advantages, the Dutch established an air defense zone in the area. To support military operations, the Dutch government constructed a long runway capable of accommodating large military aircraft.[9]
The airbase was seized by theJapanese during theirinvasion of the Dutch East Indies in 1942 and was subsequently used as a base by theImperial Japanese Navy. FollowingJapan's surrender in 1945, the base was taken over by theTentara Keamanan Rakyat (People's Security Army), the predecessor of theIndonesian National Armed Forces, along with some remaining Japanese aircraft.[10] However, many of the aircraft were destroyed on the ground during Dutch raids on the airbase during theIndonesian National Revolution. Some of the surviving aircraft participated in a raid against Dutch positions inAmbarawa,Central Java, on 29 July 1947.[11] After the Dutch withdrawal from Indonesia, the airbase was officially transferred to theIndonesian Air Force.
In 1952, the airbase was officially renamed Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Force Base, in honor ofAbdul Rachman Saleh, a national hero from the revolution and one of the pioneers of the Indonesian Air Force.[12] For the following years, the airbase was exclusively used for military flights. It was not until 1994 that the airport began operating commercial flights.[9]
The airport was temporarily closed in October 2009 due to significant runway damage. It reopened after repairs were completed, funded by Rp 130 million from three local authorities.[13]
A new terminal was inaugurated on 30 December 2011, replacing the old terminal, which is now used by theIndonesian Air Force. The new terminal is located near the southwest end of the runway, adjacent to the old terminal.
In 2007, the airport's main runway (17/35) measured 1,987 by 40 meters (6,519 by 131 feet).[2] By late 2012, it was extended to 2,300 meters (7,546 feet), and as of October 2022, it had been further extended to 2,500 by 40 meters (8,202 by 131 feet). The second runway (17L/35R) measures 1,500 by 30 meters (4,921 by 98 feet). The airport also features a 22,000-square-meter (236,806-square-foot) aircraft parking area, measuring 200 by 110 meters (656 by 361 feet).[5]
The following airlines offer scheduled passenger service:
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Batik Air | Jakarta–Halim Perdanakusuma,Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[14] |
| Citilink | Jakarta–Halim Perdanakusuma[15] |
| Garuda Indonesia | Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[16] |
Media related toAbdul Rachman Saleh Airport at Wikimedia Commons
