No. 86 Squadron RAAF about to take off in their Kittyhawk fighters at Merauke in April 1944
The original air strip measured 150 by 6,000 feet (46 m × 1,829 m) and was completed on 28 June 1943 by the Seabees of the 55th Naval Construction Battalion during World War II as part of Naval Base Merauke.[1] The airfield had a No. 86 Squadron RAAF and a few bombers assigned to do daily reconnaissance and bombing missions.[1] After the Surrender of Japan in 1945, allied forces departed the airfield, and military control of the airport was handed over to the government of Dutch East Indies. The airport was then managed by the Dutch organization Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA). The Dutch handed the control of the airport to the Indonesian government in 1962, when they signed the New York Agreement and left New Guinea.[2]
Mopah Airport after first phase renovation in 2016
With the continued increase in tourist visits, the activity of airlines using the airport also increased. The terminal building was extensively renovated in 2015 to increase its capacity. The airport terminal was expanded from just 1,972 square metres (21,230 sq ft) to 4,634 square metres (49,880 sq ft). It can now carry around 200,000 passengers annually.[3] The new check-in counter and baggage claim area has a more minimalist interior than the old one. The airport's parking lot was also expanded to cater more vehicles.[4] The airport's toilet was also renovated extensively. The boarding lounge was also expanded and now contains 381 seats for passengers.[5] Outside the terminal building, a canopy has now been installed at the drop off location so that passengers avoid the heat and rain when they arrive. In one corner of the terminal, an ATM and a food court were built. To add to the beauty and comfort for the passengers, the area around the terminal has been planted with trees and green grass. In total, the rehabilitation and expansion of the terminal building cost around Rp 16 billion (US $1,200,000).[6]
^Jakarta is continuation of Jayapura flight as same flight number
Accidents and incidents
On 26 January 2023, Lion Air JT 797 was damaged when the right wing hit a jet bridge when the aircraft is moving to the runway for takeoff. The police stated that the pilot likely couldn't see the jet bridge because of the size of the aircraft.[7]
References
^ abMerauke airfield, Merauke, Dutch New Guinea, Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Volume II (Part III, Chapter 26), Chapter XXVI, Bases in the Southwest Pacific, Naval History and Heritage Command web-site, Published: Wed 14 Feb 2018 [1]
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