Binaka Airport guide

Binaka Airport (ICAO WIMB) is the only airport on Nias Island, off the west coast of North Sumatra. It sits in Gidö district, Nias Regency, about 16 km from the centre of Gunungsitoli, and stands at 6 metres above sea level. The airport is the main air entry point to the island and its surf destinations.

Construction began in 1976 and finished the following year. The idea came from Dalihuku Mendröfa, then regent of Nias, and Merpati Nusantara Airlines was the first carrier to serve it. The 2005 Nias-Simeulue earthquake collapsed the control tower and cracked the runway, closing the airport for a time.

The single asphalt runway measures 2,250 by 45 metres, extended from 1,800 by 30 metres. It has no instrument approach, so flights use daytime visual approaches only. A further extension to 2,600 metres has been delayed by land acquisition problems. In 2024 the airport handled 180,475 passengers, 428 tonnes of cargo and 3,361 aircraft movements. Wings Air flies to Medan, Padang and Pekanbaru, and Susi Air links the island with the Batu Islands and Parapat. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation operates the airport.