Definition
Apetina Airstrip is a public airstrip located near the village of Apetina (also known as Apetina Kondre) in the Sipaliwini District of Suriname. It is identified by the ICAO code SMPT.
Overview
The airstrip serves the local community and surrounding interior regions, providing a point of access for charter flights primarily to and from Paramaribo’s Zorg en Hoop Airport. Operations are overseen by the Surinamese civil aviation authority, Luchtvaartdienst Suriname. The facility is modest, featuring a single grass runway and lacking scheduled commercial airline service.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Apetina” derives from the adjacent village of the same name, which is inhabited primarily by Maroon (Descendants of escaped enslaved peoples) communities. “Kondre” is a term in the local Sranan Tongo language meaning “village,” hence the alternative designation “Apetina Kondre Airstrip.”
Characteristics
- Location: 3°30′10″ N, 55°03′30″ W (approximately 3.5028° N, 55.0583° W) in the interior of Suriname, situated on the banks of the Tapanahony River.
- ICAO Code: SMPT (no IATA designation).
- Operator: Luchtvaartdienst Suriname (Surinamese Aviation Service).
- Runway: One runway oriented 09/27, measuring 430 m (1,411 ft) in length with a grass surface.
- Airlines and Destinations: Primarily served by charter operators, including Blue Wing Airlines, Gum Air, Hi‑Jet Helicopter Services, United Air Services, and Vortex Aviation Suriname, all operating flights to Paramaribo’s Zorg en Hoop Airport.
- Facilities: The airstrip provides basic landing and take‑off capabilities; there are no passenger terminals, fuel services, or navigation aids beyond visual flight rules.
- Incidents: On 25 September 1986, a Cessna U206G Stationair 6 (registration PZ‑TAC) was hijacked at the airstrip by members of the “Jungle Commando” rebel group led by Ronnie Brunswijk. The aircraft was subsequently used by the rebels and never returned to its owner, being removed from the Surinamese aviation register in 1993.
Related Topics
- Aviation in Suriname – overview of the country’s air transport infrastructure and regulatory framework.
- List of airports in Suriname – comprehensive catalog of Surinamese airfields, including both paved and unpaved facilities.
- Sipaliwini District – the largest administrative district of Suriname, encompassing much of the interior where Apetina Airstrip is situated.
- Maroon communities of Suriname – cultural and historical context of the populations served by the airstrip.
- Jungle Commando – the rebel group involved in the 1986 hijacking incident.
All information presented is sourced from publicly available aviation references and the Wikipedia entry for Apetina Airstrip.