Destination: Oecusse

 Oecusse is an enclave - a little bit of Timor-Leste surrounded by Indonesia. At the moment the land borders are closed, so the only ways to get there are by boat (12 hrs from Dili) or aeroplane. There used to be a company running regular shuttle flights between Dili and Oecusse but they aren't operating at the moment. For us it's a 50 minute flight.

Oecusse itself has been designated as a 'Special Social Market Economic Zone', offering low taxes to attract investment. The government has built a second international airport there, which is similar in size and layout to Dili, and is complete with a shiny new control tower, a terminal with four airbridges and a nice long runway. Whether it will receive ICAO certification or not to actually operate as an international airport is anyone's guess.

The airport itself doesn't pose too much difficulty for our operations there, but in flying to and from Dili you have to transit through Indonesian airspace, so there's a lot of radio frequency changes and position broadcasts that need to be made.

Runway directions: 09/27
Length: 2000 m
Altitude: Sea level
Surface: Sealed
Slope: Nil
Obstructions: None significant. Terrain nearby can generate turbulence in strong southeasterly wind conditions.

Passing Maubara, west of Dili

Oecusse hills. The airport is on the right edge of the photo.

Oecusse airport

Oecusse airport