List of Airports in East Timor
As of 2024, there are 1 airports throughout the country of East Timor according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in East Timor are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in East Timor
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Comoro Airport | DIL | Dili | Small |
Major Airports in East Timor
1. Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL)
Airport Code: DIL
Time Zone: Timor Leste Time (TLT)
Address: Avenida de Portugal, Dili, Timor-Leste
Nearby Cities:
- Dili (0 miles)
- Baucau (75 miles)
- Aileu (24 miles)
- Ermera (35 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Timor
- Sriwijaya Air
- Garuda Indonesia
- Lion Air
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport is located in Dili, the capital city of East Timor (Timor-Leste), in the northern part of the island of Timor. The airport was originally established in 1975 during the colonial period when it was known as Dili Airport. After East Timor gained independence in 2002, the airport was renamed in honor of Nicolau Lobato, the country’s first president.
The airport plays a crucial role as the main international gateway for East Timor, serving both domestic and international flights. Over the years, it has undergone several upgrades to improve its infrastructure and capacity, including the expansion of the terminal and the upgrading of the runway. The airport primarily connects East Timor with neighboring countries, such as Indonesia and Australia, as well as other parts of Southeast Asia. Despite its growth, the airport still faces challenges in terms of capacity and infrastructure development.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), suitable for medium-sized aircraft.
The airport features a single terminal handling both international and domestic flights. It offers essential amenities such as check-in counters, baggage claim, food outlets, and lounges. The runway is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets, but it is not large enough for wide-body aircraft. Although the terminal has improved, there are plans for further expansion to handle growing passenger traffic. The airport is crucial to the country’s connectivity and economic development, as it facilitates international tourism, trade, and business.
2. Baucau Airport (BCC)
Airport Code: BCC
Time Zone: Timor Leste Time (TLT)
Address: Baucau, East Timor
Nearby Cities:
- Baucau (0 miles)
- Viqueque (38 miles)
- Dili (75 miles)
- Manatuto (57 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (currently limited domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 10,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Baucau Airport is located in the eastern part of East Timor, in the city of Baucau. The airport was originally constructed during the Portuguese colonial period and was used primarily for military and domestic air traffic. After the country’s independence, Baucau remained an important regional airport, serving the eastern provinces of East Timor. It is strategically located near the eastern coastline and serves as a vital transportation link for local residents and businesses.
Although Baucau Airport is not as busy as Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, it plays a significant role in connecting the eastern part of East Timor to the capital, Dili, and other domestic destinations. It is a critical airport for the region, especially for the transportation of goods, humanitarian aid, and the movement of government personnel.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Baucau Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,000 meters (6,561 feet), suitable for smaller aircraft.
The airport is relatively simple, with basic facilities for passengers. It primarily handles domestic flights, with limited amenities such as check-in counters and a small waiting area. The runway can accommodate small to medium-sized aircraft, but it is not capable of handling wide-body jets. Baucau Airport is vital for the eastern part of East Timor, but it requires significant upgrades to its infrastructure and capacity to handle larger aircraft and increasing passenger traffic in the future.
3. Oecusse Airport (OEC)
Airport Code: OEC
Time Zone: Timor Leste Time (TLT)
Address: Oecusse, East Timor
Nearby Cities:
- Oecusse (0 miles)
- Atauro (40 miles)
- Dili (75 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic and regional flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 5,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Oecusse Airport is located in the Oecusse Autonomous Region, a unique enclave of East Timor located on the western half of the island, bordering Indonesia. The airport is important for connecting Oecusse to the rest of East Timor and supporting local travel, trade, and tourism. The airport was developed to provide greater accessibility to this isolated region, particularly for the transportation of goods and people. Given Oecusse’s location, the airport also serves as a link for regional travel between East Timor and Indonesia.
Despite its relatively small size, the airport plays a crucial role in supporting the local economy, especially in agriculture and trade, by allowing for quicker transportation of goods. It remains an essential connection point for the region, offering both domestic and occasional international flights.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Oecusse Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport’s facilities are minimal but functional for the region’s needs. It is primarily used for small regional aircraft, with a basic terminal offering check-in services and waiting areas. The runway is capable of handling smaller planes, but it does not support large aircraft or wide-body jets. As the airport is essential for connecting the remote Oecusse region to the rest of East Timor, there are discussions about potential upgrades to enhance its capacity, although such projects face logistical and financial challenges.
4. Same Airport (SMS)
Airport Code: SMS
Time Zone: Timor Leste Time (TLT)
Address: Same, Aileu, East Timor
Nearby Cities:
- Same (0 miles)
- Aileu (7 miles)
- Dili (30 miles)
- Ermera (35 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (currently limited domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 5,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Same Airport is located in Same, a town in the Aileu District, which is part of the central region of East Timor. The airport was initially built in the 1990s to serve as a regional gateway for transportation between the capital city of Dili and the surrounding districts. Over time, Same Airport has played a small but important role in connecting rural areas with Dili and other major cities in East Timor.
While Same does not handle international flights, it is crucial for domestic travel, particularly for government officials, business people, and aid organizations who need access to remote regions. Its development has been slow, and the airport remains underutilized due to limited infrastructure and flight services.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Same Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), suitable for small to medium aircraft.
The airport has basic facilities, including a small terminal for passenger check-in and baggage handling. The runway can accommodate smaller aircraft, but it is not large enough for wide-body jets or larger commercial planes. As a regional airport, Same serves a smaller number of passengers compared to other airports in East Timor, but it remains an important link for the central region of the country. Future developments are needed to expand its services and increase its capacity to meet the needs of a growing population and economy.
5. Atauro Island Airport (ATU)
Airport Code: ATU
Time Zone: Timor Leste Time (TLT)
Address: Atauro Island, East Timor
Nearby Cities:
- Atauro (0 miles)
- Dili (15 miles)
- Maubisse (40 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 2,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Atauro Island Airport is located on Atauro Island, a small island off the northern coast of East Timor, just north of the capital, Dili. The airport was established to provide access to this otherwise isolated island, supporting local transportation, tourism, and trade. Atauro is known for its natural beauty and is a popular destination for eco-tourism, particularly for its marine biodiversity.
The airport plays a modest role in facilitating travel to the island, serving both locals and tourists. It is important for transporting goods, particularly agricultural products, and providing access to healthcare and education for the local population. Though it is relatively small, Atauro Island Airport is a vital infrastructure asset for the region.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Atauro Island Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport is equipped with basic facilities for passengers, including a small terminal and check-in counters. The runway is short and supports small aircraft only, limiting the airport’s capacity for larger commercial flights. While the airport is not designed to handle large jets, it plays an essential role in connecting Atauro Island with Dili and other regions of East Timor. Expanding its infrastructure could help improve the island’s connectivity, but significant investment would be required to support such growth.
