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Soewondo Air Force Base
Medan, Indonesia
Soewondo Air Force Base
Indonesian Air Force base serving Medan's aviation needs.
- ›Soewondo Air Force Base was formerly known as Polonia Air Force Base.
- ›Commercial flights from Medan were relocated to Kualanamu International Airport in 2013.
- ›The base is operated by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
- ›It is situated near the center of Medan, the third-largest city in Indonesia.
- ›The base has been used for humanitarian and disaster relief operations in North Sumatra.
Soewondo Air Force Base, designated MES, is a Indonesian Air Force installation located in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province. Formerly known as Polonia Airport, it served as Medan's primary commercial airport for decades before civilian operations were transferred to Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in 2013. The base retains its military character and historical significance as one of the oldest aviation facilities in Indonesia.
- Military Operations Area — Active Indonesian Air Force base with no public civilian terminal facilities following the 2013 transfer of commercial operations.
- Taxi services available in surrounding Medan city areas
- Ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) accessible near the base vicinity
- City buses serving central Medan routes nearby
- Private car hire through Medan city operators
- Grand Mercure Medan Angkasa
- Hotel Santika Premiere Dyandra Medan
- Ibis Medan City
- JW Marriott Medan
- Aryaduta Medan
As an active military base with no civilian terminal, there are no public dining facilities within Soewondo itself. Medan's surrounding city areas offer outstanding North Sumatran cuisine, including Mie Aceh, Bika Ambon, and various Batak dishes at local restaurants along Jalan Gatot Subroto and nearby commercial districts.
- Civilian travellers should use Kualanamu International Airport (KNO), approximately 39 km southeast of Medan, for all commercial flights.
- Access to Soewondo Air Force Base is restricted to authorized military and government personnel only.
- Medan city centre is easily reachable from the base vicinity via Grab or Gojek ride-hailing apps.
- Allow extra time for Medan traffic, especially during morning and evening peak hours on the city's main arterial roads.
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Soewondo Air Force Base is a military airbase in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Before 2013, this airport served commercial flights, and was known as Polonia International Airport which was the principal airport serving Medan, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the downtown; it used to serve flights to several Indonesian and Malaysian cities, along with a flight to Singapore and Thailand. Previous international flights had been opened to Hong Kong, Taipei, Amsterdam, Abu Dhabi, Phuket, Chennai, Johor Bahru, Malacca and Ipoh.
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