Simongan was the first airport in Semarang

1928

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Caption Bahasa Indonesia

Simongan Airport as first airport in Semarang by KNILM

Source: Wikimedia Commons, 1920-1932

Simongan Airfield was located between Kalipantjoer and Kembangaroem, according to a 1922–1923 Dutch map titled "Djatibarang herzien door en Topografischen Dienst."

Source: "Djatibarang herzien door en Topografischen Dienst.", 1925

Simongan Airport, built in 1928 by Koninklijke Nederlandssch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KNILM), marked the beginning of aviation development in Semarang. At the time, Simongan Airport operated daily flights from Batavia to Semarang using Fokkers F VII aircraft. Under the management of KNILM (Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij), the first flight line between Batavia and Simongan (Semarang) opened in 1928. The flight route was extended to Surabaya a year later, on 1 November 1929.

The Simongan Airport was located west of Kembang Arum Village (Kembangaroem) and north of Kalipancur Village (Kalipantjoer). On a 1925 Dutch map titled Djatibarang, herzien by en Topograffischen Dienst in 1922-1923, the landingsterrein voor vliegtuigen, or literally "aircraft landing area," is identified. The legend code 110, Simongan vliegveld, designates Simongan Airport on the 1945 map of Semarang (part of the Java Towns Plans map).

Related events:

1927 – The development of airline service in the Dutch East Indies began on 25 April 1927, with a collaboration between the president of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij, Dr. C.J.K. van Aalst, and the commissioner of the Deli Maatschappij, E. Enthoven. Several private companies in the Dutch East Indies supported the collaboration and invested capital. Negotiations ensued with the Dutch East Indies Colonial Minister to bring the plan to realization. Cooperation with Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij was started as was the preparation of technical implementation, the company's articles of association, and the financial principles of the company.

1928 – The agreement between the Dutch East Indies Government and Koninlijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij was approved on 16 July 1928, and on 24 October 1928, a Dutch East Indies airline company called Koninlijke Nederlandsch-Indies Luchtvaart Maatschappij was formed. Furthermore, the Dutch East Indies Government became involved in the aviation industry by establishing the Bureau Luchtvaart.

1 November 1928 – The development of civil aviation in Java was provided by the Dutch East Indies military. Andir (Bandung), Tjililitan (Batavia), and Simongan (Semarang) military airfields. In addition, the Navy Commander granted permission for emergency landings at the Naval Air Base at Morokrembangan (Surabaya) in addition to seaplane and civil aviation landings. The construction was executed by the Departments of War (Departementen van Oorlog) and Public Works (Burgerlijke Openbare Werken).

1940 – Simongan Airport, which was only used as a transit airport from Batavia to Surabaya at the time, was unable to serve large aircraft transit due to its location in the hills. The government of the Dutch East Indies then planned to build a civilian airport near the coast in the Kali Banteng area. The airport's construction had been completed in 1939, though it had not yet been established and opened for civil aviation. On 22 January 1940, the first test flight was conducted using a Fokkers aircraft and was successful. The opening of Kali Banteng Airport was announced on 1 March 1940 according to a report in the 10 February 1940 edition of the newspaper Nieuws van Den Dag Voor Ned-Indie, but was held on 12 March 1940 with an opening ceremony.