Pusako Anak Nagariu Airport

Bandara Pusako Anak Nagari serves the West Pasaman Regency of West Sumatra, Indonesia, from a location roughly 20 kilometres east of the regency capital Simpang Empat. It is one of Indonesia's smallest commercial airports, operating only weekly pioneer flights at present, and has been non-operational since a 2022 earthquake caused structural damage. Despite its limited service, the airport represents a vital transport option for a region where road travel to major cities can take eight hours or more.

Getting There

The airport is situated in Nagari Kajai, Talamau District, about 20 km east of Simpang Empat. The drive takes 30–40 minutes by car or motorcycle along Jalan Lintas Sumatra, a two-lane road that winds through palm plantations and rolling hills. Road conditions are generally paved but can be narrow and winding; motorbikes are a common local transport. Public transport is scarce – there are no direct buses or angkot. Travelers typically hire a private car (ojek) from Simpang Empat's main market area, prices negotiable around IDR 50,000–80,000 one way. For those arriving from Padang (150 km south), the road journey takes 3–4 hours via the Trans-Sumatran Highway, often in heavy truck traffic. Most long-distance travelers prefer to fly to Pekanbaru first, then take the connecting Susi Air flight from there. The airport has no formal parking lot; vehicles park on gravel beside the terminal.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-story building of modest size, with a check-in counter, a waiting area with plastic chairs, and a small security screening room. There are no shops, cafes, or ATMs. Passengers should bring their own snacks and water. The check-in process is informal – passengers arrive, present identity cards, and receive handwritten boarding passes. Flights are announced by staff rather than over a public address system. The waiting area can seat about 30 people; during the weekly Thursday flight to Pekanbaru, it fills with passengers, many carrying local produce or goods. Restroom facilities exist but are basic – squat toilets and a tap. Since the earthquake, the terminal has sustained cracks and is not in use. If the airport reopens, expect minimal pretense: arrive 45 minutes before departure, be ready for manual checking of luggage.

Bandara Pusako Anak Nagari and West Pasaman Regency

West Pasaman Regency (Kabupaten Pasaman Barat) stretches from the Barisan Mountains to the Indian Ocean coast. It is part of the Minangkabau cultural heartland, known for its matrilineal social structure and distinctive architecture with upswept gonjong roof peaks. The regency's landscapes vary: volcanic hills rise behind the coastal plain, cut by rivers like the Batang Pasaman. Agricultural products include palm oil, rubber, and coffee – the region's robusta beans, especially from Kinali and Lembah Melintang, are praised for their earthy flavor. Tourism potential is significant but underdeveloped. Talu Canyon, about 30 km from Simpang Empat, offers a steep limestone gorge with walking trails. The nearby Talu Hot Springs provide natural pools set in greenery. Along the west coast, beaches such as Pasir Baru and Muara Kiawai have dark volcanic sand and strong surf, suitable for experienced swimmers. Cultural attractions include traditional Minangkabau houses (rumah gadang) in villages like Nagari Sungai Beremas and the annual Pacu Jawi (bull race) in the neighboring Tanah Datar. The airport was seen as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth. A partnership with Garuda Explore was discussed to open routes to Jakarta and Medan but never completed. The 2022 earthquake – magnitude 6.1, centered near Talamau – damaged the runway, terminal, and control tower, forcing indefinite closure. Repairs have been delayed due to funding shortages. The government's plan to widen the runway and upgrade it for ATR 72 or Boeing 737 aircraft remains on hold. Until then, the only commercial flights are the pioneering Susi Air route to Pekanbaru, once weekly on Thursdays, subsidized so tickets cost as little as IDR 200,000. For residents of West Pasaman, this beats the eight-hour bus ride to Pekanbaru (which also costs about IDR 150,000). The airport is a symbol of connectivity in a region where roads are slow and limited. Its eventual return would link the regency to the wider Sumatran and Indonesian network.

Practical Information

Bandara Pusako Anak Nagari is currently closed for repairs after the 2022 earthquake. There is no official reopening date. Its ICAO code is WISE; IATA is not assigned. For information, contact the West Pasaman Regency Transportation Office in Simpang Empat (Dinas Perhubungan, Jalan Lintas Sumatra, phone: +62 753 202 0428 – call only if necessary, not always answered). The nearest active airports are Minangkabau International Airport (PDG) in Padang (3–4 hours by car) and Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport (PKU) in Pekanbaru (8 hours by land, 1 hour if the West Pasaman flight is operating). For the Susi Air Thursday flight to Pekanbaru, contact Susi Air's Pekanbaru office directly (+62 761 858 558) – flights can be cancelled or rescheduled with little notice. Check flight status before heading to the airport. If traveling to West Pasaman as a tourist, the best option is to fly to Padang, then take a bus or charter car to Simpang Empat. Once there, local ojek drivers charge per destination. The region is safe but rural; bring cash, as ATMs are rare outside Simpang Empat. Practical tip: If you must make the Pekanbaru–Simpang Empat trip by road, take the overnight bus from Pekanbaru's Terminal Bandar Raya Payung Sekaki – it departs around 8 pm and arrives at Simpang Empat's market around 4 am. The bus is air-conditioned and reclining, but the road is bumpy. Bring a snack and water.