Construction of the airport began in 2007 with an investment of 100 billion Rupiah from the Southeast Sulawesi provincial government. The airport was inaugurated on 22 May 2009 by then Indonesian Minister of Transportation Jusman Syafii Djamal.[1]
Expansion
A new terminal was inaugurated on 8 May 2016 by former Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan. The new terminal has an area of 1,524 m2 (16,400 sq ft) and can accommodate up to 150 people daily. New facilities include a more spacious boarding lounge, more modern check-in counter, arranged concession area and more hygienic toilets. Other land facilities include a building for the Rescue & Fire Fighting Services, a non-directional beacon, a quarantine building and a wider parking area for vehicles. On the air-side, the airport apron is now expanded to 103 by 73 m (338 by 240 ft) to cater for larger aircraft. A taxiway with an area of 107 by 18 m (351 by 59 ft) has also been constructed. Security-related facilities have also been improved, such as additional security screening facilities (x-ray baggage), and the construction of security posts.[2]
Matahora Airport will be upgraded to an international airport to support the development of local tourism in 2019. The upgrade of this airport status because Wakatobi was selected to be one of ten tourist destinations set by the government. To support the increase of this airport into an international airport, there needs to be a revamp of the runway. In 2017, the runway of Matahora Airport was 2,000 m (6,600 ft) long. It was planned to be upgraded to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) in length by 45 m (148 ft) wide.[3]
Further expansions to the runway, apron, and the cargo loading area is planned for 2021.[4]
