Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport (BMU)

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport (IATA: BMU, ICAO: WADB) is the primary air gateway to the Bima and Dompu regencies on the eastern side of Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. Located in the Palibelo district, approximately 15 kilometers south of Bima's city center, the airport plays a crucial role in connecting this relatively remote region to the rest of the country, supporting local tourism, business, and administrative travel.

Originally known as Palibelo Airport, the facility underwent a significant upgrade with a new, more modern terminal building inaugurated in 2014. At that time, it was renamed to honor Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin, the last reigning monarch of the historic Bima Sultanate, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of the area. This development modernized the airport's infrastructure, enhancing its capacity and improving the passenger experience.

The airport exclusively serves domestic routes, with no scheduled international flights. Operations are primarily handled by regional carriers, most notably Wings Air (a subsidiary of Lion Air Group) and Citilink. These airlines operate flights using turboprop aircraft, such as the ATR 72, connecting Bima with major provincial hubs like I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Bali, and Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (LOP) in Lombok. Passenger traffic is modest, consistent with its status as a small regional airport serving a specific geographic area.

The terminal building is a compact, single-story facility designed for efficiency. Inside, travelers will find basic amenities including check-in counters for the resident airlines, a clean waiting lounge with limited seating, simple toilets, and a few small kiosks selling snacks, drinks, and local souvenirs. There are no aerobridges; passengers walk across the tarmac to and from the aircraft. The facilities are functional but limited, so travelers should not expect extensive dining, shopping, or lounge options.

For travelers using the airport, it is advisable to arrive 90 minutes before a scheduled departure. Upon arrival, the most common methods for reaching Bima city or other destinations are pre-arranged private cars or local airport taxis, which are readily available outside the terminal. Public transport options are scarce. As most journeys to or from Bima require a connecting flight, passengers should allow ample transit time at larger hub airports like Denpasar or Lombok.