The skies over Papua felt new and full of potential on February 21, 2026. People who traveled to Bandara (Airports) Koroway Batu, Bandara Beoga, and Bandara Iwur carried their bags and walked with a cautious sense of hope. The roar of airplane engines at these far-off airports meant that flights were once again welcome there for the first time in weeks.
This reopening came after Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago made an official announcement that the airports would be open again after being closed for a short time because of security threats after the deadly Smart Air incident on February 11, 2026. The choice is very important for people living in the central highlands and coastal areas of Papua. These airports are more than just places to get on and off of planes. They are lifelines that link distant areas to family, medical care, business, and education.
For people in Papua, the return of flights is a step toward getting things back to normal and strengthening social and economic ties after a time of fear and chaos.
Closure Because of Terror Threats
On February 11, 2026, a Smart Air plane was shot at near Bandara Koroway in Boven Digoel, which made regional air travel in Papua less safe. The pilot and copilot both died in the crash. The event sent shockwaves through the archipelago, making people worry about the safety of pioneer or remote airports that don’t always have a lot of security.
The government temporarily closed eleven remote airports that were deemed high risk, including Koroway Batu, Beoga, and Iwur, in response to the attack and the security concerns raised by local and national authorities. The closures were meant to give time for security checks, strengthen defenses, and make sure that flying could safely start up again.
For people who live near the airport, the closures meant more than just trouble getting around. These airstrips are very important for getting food, medicine, emergency patients, teachers, and public servants in and out of areas that are hard to get to by road. Without flights, communities that were already far away could have been cut off from important services.
Government Announcement and Gradual Reopening
On February 21, 2026, Coordinating Minister Djamari Chaniago spoke to the country about plans to reopen the three airports in stages. He told a group of journalists and officials that the decision was based on better security and the ability to keep passengers safe.
Chaniago said, “We have done evaluations with the right agencies and with security forces.” “The results show that Koroway Batu, Beoga, and Iwur are ready to reopen.” Flights will start up again in stages to make sure everyone is safe and that everything is being watched properly.
Chaniago told Kompas.com and Sindonews.com that the government would use a careful and gradual reopening strategy. There would be fewer flights at first, and security around the airports would stay high.
The minister talked about security measures like more patrols, better communication between police and military units, and closer monitoring of the perimeter. Passengers were told to stay alert and listen to what airport staff and security said.
Phased Operations and Safety Protocols
The first stage of the phased reopening plan was to allow only essential flights, such as passenger flights, medical evacuation flights, and cargo flights carrying important supplies. As time goes on, the schedule is expected to grow to include regular commercial operations, as long as security and transportation authorities keep checking it.
The airport managers at Koroway Batu, Beoga, and Iwur were happy that flights were starting up again. For them, reopening means not only getting back to work but also getting back in touch with their community. Air travel is very important in a place where river routes and mountain roads can be slow and unpredictable.
The head of the Papua Regional Transportation Office told local news outlets that the reopening was the result of cooperation between central government agencies, local leaders, security forces, and community representatives. He stressed that everyone needs to keep working together to make sure that flights can continue to run safely.
Response from Local Communities
People who lived in villages near the reopened airports felt a mix of relief and cautious hope.
One woman in Beoga District, who was waiting at the reopened airport to send her son to school in Jayapura, said that flights are important for both travel and peace of mind.
“We felt alone when the planes weren’t flying,” she said. “Now that flights are back, it feels like the world is connected to us again.”
In Iwur, business owners talked about how the reopening would affect the economy. Flights make it easier for them to get to suppliers and customers, and they also give local products a better chance to reach more people.
Teachers who have to fly to get to remote classrooms were also happy. A teacher at a community school near Koroway Batu said that flights make it possible for teachers to get to work, go to training sessions, and give students a sense of stability.
Safety and Security Measures
Even though the building is open again, security is still a top priority. Minister Djamari Chaniago said again that the situation needs to be watched closely. The attacks by armed groups earlier this month showed how unpredictable they can be and how they can ruin lives and businesses.
Authorities have told security forces to stay visible near the airports and in the areas around them. The Indonesian National Police, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and transportation authorities are still working together. Checkpoints, patrols, and community engagement programs are all meant to make people feel more confident about traveling safely.
Chaniago said that reopening does not mean that all risks are gone, but it does mean that the government is sure it can keep civilians safe and protect important infrastructure. “We won’t hurry this along,” he said. “Safety comes first.”
Aviation and Regional Connectivity
The reopening of the Koroway Batu, Beoga, and Iwur airports will have effects on travel beyond the area. It shows a bigger commitment to making sure that Papua stays connected, since the region relies heavily on air travel because of its geography and lack of good road networks.
Before they closed for a short time, these airports were used by small aircraft carriers that flew to remote areas. They helped get medical supplies to people in need, took government officials to outreach programs, and made it easier for people to visit family in nearby districts.
With flights about to start up again, these activities can start up again, which will make communities that have felt cut off in recent weeks feel more normal.
Economists who study transportation have said that stable regional air services are very important for economic growth. Reliable flights make it possible for small business owners to get to their suppliers, for traders to move goods, and for people who live in the area to get to jobs and services that are not close by.
When airports close without warning, those routes are blocked off, which makes the economy and society even more uncertain and stressful.
Personal Stories: Travel Stopped and Started Again
A local health worker who taught at a community clinic near Beoga Airport gave one of the most moving accounts of how the closures affected people. She talked about a time when it was hard and unclear to move patients with serious conditions. Road trips could take a long time, even days, depending on the weather and the terrain. Flights, on the other hand, gave people access to hospital care that could save their lives.
“When that airport closed, every ride in an ambulance felt like a gamble,” she said. “We can breathe a little easier now that flights are back.”
A young business owner in Koroway Batu talked about his plans to grow his small business, which sells local crafts to tourists and people from other parts of Indonesia. He said that with flights returning, his dreams of expanding his business now seem possible again.
He said, “I had orders from customers in Jayapura and Makassar.” “But it was impossible to deliver without flights. I finally feel like I can grow my business now.
Government Strategy and More Trust
After a number of evaluations by security, aviation, and local government officials, the decision to reopen the airport was made. They all agreed that the conditions in their areas had stabilized enough to allow phased flights to happen safely.
Minister Djamari Chaniago’s announcement was very clear in its promise. The government wants people to know that steps have been taken to stop more violent events that could put air travel at risk.
Chaniago told people to stay informed through official channels and not to spread false information that could make people scared for no reason.
He also said that reopening the airports shows that people are strong. He said that Papua’s growth should not be hurt by isolated acts of violence. The government is dedicated to both peace and advancement.
Looking Ahead
As flights start to leave Koroway Batu, Beoga, and Iwur again, both residents and officials are keeping a close eye on things to make sure that this reopening means more than just a return to normal. It also means a renewal of trust.
It’s a time to be careful and celebrate the reopening. It recognizes the pain of the last few weeks while also making it possible to connect, grow, and get back to important services.
For the people of Papua who rely on these airports for travel, health, and business, today’s takeoffs mean more than just planes taking off. They are a sign that life can go on, even when things are scary.