Mentawai Airport

Rokot new airport sits on the southeast coast of Sipora Island, serving as the primary air gateway to the Mentawai Islands Regency. Opened in the early 2020s to replace a smaller airstrip, it features a single 1,500-metre runway capable of handling ATR 72 aircraft. The terminal is a modest one-storey building, painted in white and blue, set amid coconut palms and low hills. With flights operating on select days and at specific times, the airport is a quiet but vital link for the regency's 100,000 inhabitants, most of whom live on Siberut, Sipora, and the Pagai islands.

Getting There

Rokot airport is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Tuapejat, the regency capital, on the island of Sipora. The only road connecting the airport to Tuapejat is a two-lane paved road that winds through villages and patches of rainforest. By car or hired motorcycle, the journey takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Public transport is minimal; occasional minibuses (angkot) travel the route, but schedules are loose. Most visitors arrange a pick-up with their accommodation or a local driver through their hotel. The airport does not have a taxi stand, but upon arrival, drivers often wait for passengers. For those heading to other islands, the airport is not a direct transfer point — you must first reach Tuapejat port, then take a ferry or speedboat to Siberut or the Pagais. The port is a 10-minute drive from Tuapejat town centre. From Padang, the nearest city on Sumatra, flights operated by Wings Air are the only practical way to reach Rokot. The flight takes about 45 minutes. Flights are not daily; check schedules carefully. The alternative is an overnight ferry from Padang to either Tuapejat or Siberut, which takes 10–14 hours.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Rokot new airport is compact and straightforward. Arriving passengers disembark on the tarmac and walk the short distance to a single door that leads into the arrivals hall — a room about the size of a large living room. There is a baggage claim carousel, though for smaller flights luggage may be brought in manually. The check-in area doubles as the departure lounge, with a row of plastic chairs facing a counter. The only confirmed facility is a toilet, located at the back of the terminal. It is kept reasonably clean but bring your own tissue and hand sanitiser, as supplies are sporadic. There is no air conditioning throughout — the building relies on ceiling fans and open windows. The atmosphere is unhurried; security screening consists of a walk-through metal detector and a manual bag check. Staff are polite and speak basic English. For departures, arrive at least one hour before the scheduled flight, as the process can slow when multiple passengers arrive at once. There are no shops, restaurants, or ATMs inside the terminal. Bring any snacks or cash you may need. The busiest times, according to local patterns, are Monday evenings around 6 pm, Tuesdays at midnight, Wednesday evenings at 7 pm, and Thursdays at 4 am — reflecting the flight schedule. If your flight falls at these times, expect a small but steady stream of passengers.

Rokot new airport and Mentawai Islands Regency

Mentawai Islands Regency is one of Indonesia's most unique and geographically isolated regions. It comprises four main islands — Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai, and South Pagai — plus dozens of smaller islets, stretching for about 150 kilometres off the west coast of Sumatra. Its population of roughly 100,000 people is made up of ethnic Mentawaians, who traditionally lived in longhouses (uma) and practised a form of animism, and more recent migrants from Sumatra and Java. The regency is world-famous among surfers for its consistent, powerful waves, particularly at breaks like Macaronis, Rifles, and Lance's Left, which draw wave-chasers from around the globe. Surf charters and land-based camps are the primary tourism draw, but the islands also offer exceptional biodiversity: Siberut Island is home to endemic primates such as the Kloss's gibbon and the Mentawai macaque, and the rainforests shelter hornbills, monitor lizards, and countless insects. Culturally, the Mentawai people are known for their intricate body tattoos, sharpened teeth, and traditional healers (sikerei). Many communities still live in remote riverine settlements, accessible only by boat. The regency's history includes a period of isolation under Indonesian rule when missionaries and the government encouraged conversion to Christianity and resettlement into villages. Today, a mix of traditional and modern lifestyles coexists. Travel within the regency is primarily by speedboat — distances between islands are short, but the sea can be rough. The airport at Rokot significantly eases access compared to the previous reliance on ferries from Padang, which took up to 12 hours. For visitors, the airport is the fastest entry point to the surf camps and cultural homestays scattered across Sipora and beyond. However, infrastructure remains basic: paved roads are limited, electricity is intermittent, and medical facilities are sparse. Visitors should come prepared for a raw, rewarding experience far removed from standard resort destinations.

Practical Information

Rokot new airport is not open every day. It operates only on days when scheduled flights are confirmed — currently these are limited to Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The busiest flight times are Monday 6 pm, Tuesday 12 am (midnight), Wednesday 7 pm, and Thursday 4 am. The airport has no official website or public phone number; flight information is best obtained from Wings Air (the sole carrier) or through local travel agents in Padang or Tuapejat. The airport code is RKO. Toilets are available but bring your own paper and soap. No food, drink, or retail outlets exist on site. Cash (Indonesian rupiah) is essential — there are no ATMs or card payment facilities. Flights are often delayed or cancelled due to weather (especially in the wet season from October to April). Allow flexibility in your itinerary. If you miss a flight, the alternative ferry from Padang to Tuapejat or Siberut runs a few times per week; check at Padang's Muaro Port. One concrete piece of advice: When departing Rokot, be at the airport at least one hour before the scheduled flight, but also confirm with your airline the day before — flights can shift without notice.