Anambas Island Airports
Anambas Island Airports are Letung Airport and Matak Airport. Although they lie about 70 kilometers apart, both play critical roles in regional connectivity and present valuable opportunities for future development.
Anambas Island Airports – Letung Airport
The government owns Letung Airport, a modern facility on Jemaja Island in the western part of the Anambas province. In 2019, local authorities inaugurated this airport to improve accessibility in the region. Letung Airport primarily accommodates regional turboprop services, such as the ATR72, which connect to Batam Island four times a week. This reliable schedule ensures consistent access for visitors and residents alike. Furthermore, the airport’s presence reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and spurring economic growth.
In recent years, Letung’s runway has seen upgrades aimed at refining aircraft handling. Local communities were initially hesitant, fearing potential disruption of traditional life. Over time, most have embraced the change. The weekly flights bring families together faster and aid the transfer of medical supplies or perishable goods. For those who once endured choppy overnight ferry voyages, the convenience of an hour-long flight is transformative. On the tourism front, guides who lead island-hopping tours observe that Letung’s proximity to scenic beaches and snorkelling sites promotes more packaged trips. Visitors can land, settle into accommodation, and hop on a boat the same afternoon.
Some in the business community eye Letung as a pivot for trade. Cargo planes might eventually follow passenger routes, facilitating shipments of local produce—like dried fish, coconut products, or crafts—direct to markets in Batam or Java. The success of the airport’s initial phase suggests many fresh possibilities, though these require careful coordination with local leaders. Others highlight the need to protect the environment, ensuring that any surge in visitor numbers won’t deplete marine biodiversity or strain limited resources.
Anambas Island Airports – Matak Airport
Matak Airport has a rich history as the first airport to serve the Anambas Islands. ConocoPhillips built and operated it mainly to support the Natuna gas field, located about 500 kilometers northeast of Anambas. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Matak Airport also handled commercial flights for business and leisure travelers. However, the pandemic led to a suspension of these services. As of 2024, officials are discussing the resumption of commercial flights, with possible plans to alternate schedules between Letung and Matak. By coordinating flights at both airports, the region hopes to optimize connectivity and enhance travel options.
That original role as a base for gas field operations shaped Matak Airport’s layout. Accommodations for workers dotted the surrounding area, while supply flights shuttled equipment in and out. Over time, local entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to host travellers. Lodgings emerged, offering overnight rooms for those transiting to other islands by boat. Fishermen living in nearby communities also benefited, selling fresh catches to passengers who found themselves with free time before the next flight. At one point, the airport’s cafeteria served as a gathering spot for both employees and adventurers, bridging separate worlds.
When commercial flights paused, Matak’s area felt an economic slowdown. Some small eateries reduced hours or shuttered. The news that flights might restart renews hope for these enterprises. Yet, the competitive dynamic with Letung remains. Visitors may base themselves closer to whichever airport offers flights on their chosen travel dates. The region’s tourism board has proposed a unified schedule to let travellers choose flexible itineraries. In the best scenario, this synergy could produce more overall arrivals. Everyone from homestay owners to taxi drivers stands to gain if Matak regains its role as a well-travelled gateway, now working in harmony with Letung.
Seaplanes from Singapore – The Future of Anambas Transport
Although the presence of two airports indicates solid infrastructure, resort developers should note a rising trend in using seaplanes for direct resort transfers. Bawah Reserve has successfully adopted this model, offering guests a seamless and scenic arrival that aligns with high-end hospitality standards. As a result, many future resorts may find airport facilities redundant if they opt for more direct or luxurious transfer methods.
High-net-worth guests often delight in the idea of stepping off a plane onto a floating pontoon. Resort managers praise the convenience: no need for separate car or ferry rides. Instead, travellers glide over turquoise waters, glimpsing distant atolls before gently landing. This approach appeals to boutique operators who cater to discerning visitors. However, seaplane operations also present unique regulatory and cost challenges. Pilots must manage stricter flight plans, and the planes themselves require special maintenance in saltwater environments. Fuel logistics are trickier in remote locales. Not every new resort can sustain these operational details, though the prestige factor can justify the investment for certain segments.
Airport authorities remain curious about this seaplane phenomenon. Some fear it could diminish passenger traffic on regular flights, thereby reducing revenue. Others argue that it caters to a different market, with standard routes continuing to serve everyday travellers and mid-range tourists. An equilibrium may emerge, where seaplanes handle premium guests while Letung and Matak still handle the bulk of passenger flow.
Infrastructure Insights from Kepri Estates’ Anambas Guide
Understanding government plans for airport and infrastructure development is crucial for anyone investing in the region. Kepri Estates’ Anambas Guide provides detailed insights into these strategies. Developers can use this guide to align their projects with official development goals, ensuring optimal use of existing infrastructure while also exploring unique logistics solutions that island resorts often demand.
References and Further Research
Please click the links below for any more details on the airports of the Anambas Islands.
- Tourism in Anambas Regency sees bright future with new Letung Airport
- Kini Anambas Punya Dua Bandara, Matak dan Letung (Indonesian)
- Anambas Islands Regency
- Bandara Matak (Indonesian)
Conclusion
Letung and Matak airports both contribute significantly to the Anambas Islands’ connectivity. Yet, developers who seek luxury and exclusivity may lean toward seaplane transfers. By staying updated on regional development plans, future resort projects can strike the right balance between leveraging existing airports and adopting innovative transportation solutions. Check out Kepri Estates Comprehensive Private Island Blog for up to date information on the province, and also don’t forget to subscribe to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest information.
As the Anambas archipelago moves forward, these airports will likely see further upgrades and expansions. Officials continue to refine flight schedules, local businesses adapt, and potential investors keep watch. Whether one lands at Letung, touches down at Matak, or zooms across the waves on a seaplane, each route underscores the archipelago’s evolving identity. Somewhere between old-school island charm and modern convenience, the Anambas Islands chart their course. Through carefully managed infrastructure and imaginative planning, they invite curious adventurers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers to explore a realm of coral reefs, lush hills, and warm community spirit, all tied together by the hum of propellers in the sky.
For more information on existing and planned infrastructure in the Anambas islands, please check out our article Anambas Islands Key Infrastructure
And also check out the video below for more information about the paradise islands of the Anambas archipelago.