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Pattimura International Airport
Ambon, Indonesia
Pattimura International Airport
Gateway to the Spice Islands of Eastern Indonesia.
- ›Named after Pattimura (Thomas Matulessy), a hero of the 1817 Maluku uprising against Dutch colonial rule.
- ›Located on the island of Ambon in the Maluku Province, historically known as the Spice Islands.
- ›The airport serves as a critical hub for inter-island connectivity across the remote Maluku archipelago.
- ›A major terminal expansion was completed to meet growing passenger demand in eastern Indonesia.
- ›Ambon Bay's geography makes air transport especially vital, as road connections between islands are impossible.
Pattimura International Airport, named after the legendary Moluccan hero Thomas Matulessy, serves as the primary air hub for Maluku Province in eastern Indonesia. Situated on Ambon Island, it connects this historically significant spice-trading region to major Indonesian cities and supports vital inter-island travel across the archipelago. The airport has undergone modernization efforts to accommodate growing passenger volumes and improve facilities for both domestic and limited international routes.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles the majority of flights connecting Ambon to Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, and other Indonesian cities.
- International Terminal — A smaller facility catering to limited international and charter operations serving the Maluku region.
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab) available outside the arrivals hall
- Angkot (local minibuses) connecting the airport to Ambon city centre
- Hotel shuttle services offered by select properties in the Ambon area
- Car rental counters available within the terminal
- Ojek (motorcycle taxis) for budget-conscious short-distance travel
- Swiss-Belhotel Ambon
- Amaris Hotel Ambon
- Hotel Mutiara Ambon
- Manise Hotel Ambon
- Best Western Plus The Lagoon Hotel Ambon
Inside the terminal, travellers will find modest food stalls and cafés offering local Indonesian staples such as papeda, ikan bakar, and nasi goreng alongside standard snacks and beverages. Options are more limited compared to major Indonesian airports, so arriving early with a meal is advisable for longer layovers. The city of Ambon itself, about 15–20 minutes away, offers a wider variety of Moluccan seafood restaurants and warungs.
- Agree on taxi fares before departure or use Grab to avoid overcharging, as metered taxis are not always available.
- Ambon's weather is highly variable; carry a light rain jacket regardless of the season.
- Allow extra time for check-in, as the terminal can become congested during peak holiday periods.
- Exchange currency or withdraw cash in Ambon city, as airport facilities for foreign exchange may be limited.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Pattimura Airport, formerly known as Laha Airport, is an airport serving Ambon, the capital and largest city of Maluku Province, Indonesia. The airport is the largest and busiest in the Maluku Islands. Located 38 kilometers west of Ambon's city center, the airport is named after Thomas Matulessy (1783–1817), an Indonesian national hero from Maluku who is more widely known as Pattimura. He led the resistance against Dutch colonial forces in the 19th century. Pattimura Airport serves as the primary gateway to Ambon and the Maluku Islands, offering regular flights to major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar, as well as regional destinations within Maluku. The airport previously operated international flights to Darwin, Australia, but these services were later discontinued. Its international status was briefly revoked in 2024, before being reinstated the following year.
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