Saumlaki/Olilit Airport

Airport Olilit sits on the outskirts of Saumlaki, the capital of the Tanimbar Islands in Southwest Maluku, Indonesia. It operated as the region's primary airfield until 2014, when Mathilda Batlayeri Airport opened and took over all scheduled traffic. Since then, the old runway has been repurposed — on weekends, local residents use it for motorbike racing. The terminal building remains standing but receives no passengers. For anyone planning to visit the Tanimbar Islands, knowing about Olilit is useful only as a piece of local history; all flights now go through Mathilda Batlayeri Airport, located about 7 kilometres to the east.

What made Olilit memorable for those who used it was the atmosphere. The staff were notably friendly, creating a family-like vibe that larger airports rarely achieve. The terminal was modest — a single building with a check-in counter, a waiting area, and basic facilities. Wheelchair accessibility was present, with an accessible entrance and toilet. However, the airport had no runway lighting and closed at sunset. After Mathilda Batlayeri opened, Olilit's commercial services ceased entirely, and the site gradually adopted its new role as a recreational space for the local community.

Getting There

Airport Olilit is located on Jalan Olilit, about 3 kilometres south of Saumlaki's town centre. By ojek (motorcycle taxi), the journey takes around 10 minutes and costs roughly 20,000 Indonesian rupiah. A car or angkot (minibus) can also reach the site, though the road is narrow in places. Since the airport is no longer operational, there is no reason to go there unless you are curious about the motorbike racing or want to see the old terminal. Most visitors to the Tanimbar Islands fly into Mathilda Batlayeri Airport, which is accessible via a paved road from Saumlaki — taxis and hotel shuttles serve that route regularly.

Inside the Terminal

During its operational years, the terminal at Airport Olilit was a simple rectangular building with a corrugated metal roof. Upon arrival, passengers walked across the tarmac to the entrance. Inside, a single room served as both check-in area and departure lounge. Seating consisted of plastic chairs arranged in rows. The confirmed facilities included a wheelchair-accessible entrance, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and a standard toilet. There was no air conditioning, only ceiling fans. The ambience was relaxed — staff often knew passengers by name. Baggage claim was manual: bags were unloaded from the aircraft and carried into the terminal. Security screening was minimal, typically a hand-check of larger bags.

Today, the terminal is locked and unused. The building shows signs of wear, with peeling paint and overgrown vegetation around the entrance. The runway surface, once asphalt, has cracked in places, but remains usable for motorbikes and small events. For those needing airport services, Mathilda Batlayeri Airport offers a modern terminal with proper seating, air conditioning, and basic retail.

Airport Olilit and Tanimbar Islands

The Tanimbar Islands are an archipelago in the southern Maluku province, comprising dozens of islands with a total population of around 100,000. The main island, Yamdena, is where Saumlaki and both airports are located. The region is known for its remote beauty: white sand beaches, coral reefs, and forest-covered hills. Tanimbar's culture is distinct from other parts of Maluku, with a strong tradition of boat-building, weaving, and ceremonial dances. The Tanimbar corella, a white cockatoo with a yellow crest, is endemic to the islands and a symbol of local wildlife.

History buffs may note that Tanimbar was a staging point during World War II, and remnants of Japanese bunkers can still be found. Today, the economy relies on fishing, coconut plantations, and a growing tourism sector. Divers come for pristine reefs teeming with marine life; surfers seek out uncrowded waves. The islands are also a gateway to the Kei Islands and the Arafura Sea. Culture lovers can visit traditional villages like Lorulun or Sangliat Dol, where megalithic stone chairs and adat ceremonies persist.

Despite its potential, tourism infrastructure remains basic. Hotels are few, and flights are infrequent. Mathilda Batlayeri Airport connects Saumlaki to Ambon, the provincial capital, with flights on Wings Air and Garuda Indonesia. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. From Ambon, connections extend to Jakarta and other major cities. For those who make the effort, Tanimbar offers an authentic experience far from mass tourism.

Practical Information

Airport Olilit is closed to commercial traffic. It does not operate any flights, and its hours are effectively nonexistent. There is no contact number or website for the old airport. If you need air transport to the Tanimbar Islands, book flights to Mathilda Batlayeri Airport (code: LUV). Check schedules carefully — flights are limited, often only a few per week. For ground transport, arrange a taxi or hotel pick-up from Saumlaki.

One concrete piece of advice: Do not rely on Airport Olilit for anything. Treat it as a historical footnote. All your planning should center on Mathilda Batlayeri Airport, which is the only functional air gateway to the Tanimbar Islands.