Indonesia speeds repairs at five quake-hit airports in NTT

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation is accelerating inspections and repairs at five airports in East Nusa Tenggara after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the province on 15 August 2026, with civil aviation officials prioritising damaged terminal buildings and supporting infrastructure to keep services running safely during recovery.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation sent a team led by Director General Lukman F. Laisa to review conditions at Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere, H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende, Soa Airport in Bajawa and Frans Sales Lega Airport in Ruteng, according to a statement from the ministry.

The earthquake, measured at magnitude 7.7, caused damage across aviation and port facilities in East Nusa Tenggara, including structural impacts at several airport buildings and passenger terminals. The ministry said the field inspections were intended to identify the level of damage at each facility and guide an accelerated programme of repairs so airports could continue supporting connectivity and local economic activity.

Inspections focus on buildings and passenger terminals

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, recovery work is focused on airport structures and supporting facilities such as passenger terminals and operational areas used for flight services. Lukman said repairs at each airport will be carried out according to the severity of damage and operational needs, with the goal of restoring infrastructure as quickly as possible while maintaining aviation safety.

During his visit at the end of August, Lukman inspected all five airports and highlighted Soa Airport in Bajawa as a particular concern. At Soa, the earthquake caused medium-level damage to the runway and several buildings, including cracks in terminal facilities and supporting structures, according to initial assessments cited by national media. The ministry and local stakeholders have made recovery of terminal buildings and passenger facilities at Soa a priority.

The Directorate General also noted that navigation service units in Labuan Bajo, Ende, Maumere, Bajawa and Ruteng were affected by the quake, with contingency arrangements introduced at some locations to ensure services could continue from safe structures. All personnel at affected navigation facilities were reported to be safe.

Operations continue at Komodo and other airports

Despite damage at several locations, civil aviation authorities stated that no airports in Flores and surrounding areas were closed as a result of the earthquake. Flights at Komodo International Airport and other affected facilities have continued to operate, supported by contingency plans and on-site safety assessments.

Media reports and ministry statements do not provide detailed information on individual flight cancellations, schedule changes or airline-specific restrictions at Komodo Airport. Travellers are advised to check directly with airlines and monitor official aviation or airport notices for the latest operational updates, especially when transiting through Soa Airport in Bajawa where repair work is being prioritised.

Lukman said the ministry is coordinating closely with regional governments and airport operators to implement repairs and ensure airport infrastructure can again fully support community activities and economic connectivity in East Nusa Tenggara. During inspection visits he also met employees at the affected airports and delivered assistance to staff impacted by the disaster, according to reports based on the ministry’s briefings.

Sources

• Detik Finance – Pelabuhan & Bandara di NTT Rusak Diguncang Gempa
• Okezone Economy – 6 Bandara Rusak Akibat Gempa, Kemenhub Pastikan Penerbangan di Flores Tetap Normal
• AFU.id – Gempa NTT Rusak 5 Bandara dan 3 Pelabuhan, Ini Rinciannya
• CNN Indonesia – Daftar 5 Bandara Terdampak Gempa NTT
• Hubud Kemenhub – Dirjen Perhubungan Udara Tinjau Bandara Terdampak Gempa NTT, Fokus Percepatan Pemulihan Infrastruktur dan Fasilitas Penerbangan
• Berita Nasional – Pascagempa NTT, Kemenhub Percepat Pemulihan Fasilitas 5 Bandara
• Suara.com – 5 Bandara Rusak Diguncang Gempa NTT, Landasan Pacu Sampai Retak
• RRI – Kemenhub Prioritaskan Perbaikan Bandara Soa Bajawa Pascagempa