Lombok gets more international air connections

MATARAM- After struggling for many years to receive more international flights, Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara Province or NTB), an island next to Bali, starts to enjoy the benefits of its brand new airport. The new facility, 40 km away South of the regional capital Mataram, has been in operation since October 1, 2011. Lombok new airport has a runway of 2,750 meter capable to receive aircraft up to the Airbus A330. The terminal itself with its 21,000 m2 can accommodate three million passengers per year while its apron has a capacity to accommodate 10 aircraft simultaneously.

Prior to the opening of the new airport, Lombok used to be connected only to Singapore by Silk Air up to three times a week. With the new facility, Singapore based Silk Air upgraded its frequencies to 5 weekly flights. Then came AirAsia with four frequencies to Kuala Lumpur last year. The Malaysian carrier just increased last month its total number of flights to a daily frequency, due to the success of its route. 

Next September, Lombok will finally be connected to Australia. Qantas low cost subsidiary Jetstar Airways has officially announced to begin flights between Lombok and Perth, Western Australia, from September 24. Booking and special fares are already available to book at the airline’s website or from a local travel agent.

The carrier will start with four weekly services out of Perth. Lombok will be the fourth destination of the carrier in Indonesia out of Western Australia capital. They also have been rumours about the possibility for the regional carrier Hong Kong-based Dragonair to open a route to Lombok out of the former British colony. In April, a Hong Kong delegation came to Lombok to have a better approach over the potential development of the Indonesian island as a centre of tourism. Most of the delegation indicated to put pressure on the Swire Group –one of the owners of both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair to speed up the opening of a new route to Lombok.

Sourced: TravelDialyNews