NTB Governor Welcomes Significant Increase in Singapore-Lombok Direct Flights

Mataram (ANTARA) - The Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, has welcomed the enhancement of international connectivity to the region, specifically noting that the Singapore-Lombok flight route has increased significantly from four to ten flights per week.

Iqbal confirmed that this surge in scheduling will be serviced by Scoot, a low-cost carrier and subsidiary of the prestigious Singapore Airlines.

“With this addition, Lombok officially solidifies its position as the destination with the highest flight frequency from Singapore outside of Java and Bali,” he stated in Matram on Wednesday.

He welcomed the expansion of these flight routes, noting that this positive outcome is the result of long-term diplomacy and hard work aimed at boosting regional tourism and the economy.

“Alhamdulillah, after long efforts, our international flight frequency has increased by six flights per week. Therefore, what was originally only 14 international flights per week will increase to 20 flights per week starting this June,” said Iqbal.

The former Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey added that the NTB Provincial Government will not rest on its laurels. His administration is currently overseeing the interconnection to the Pacific region.

“We are still awaiting the licensing process for the Lombok-Darwin and Lombok-Perth routes,” he said.

According to Iqbal, the acceleration of these international route additions is being intentionally pushed to welcome a series of large-scale sporting events to be held in NTB in the near future. Two of these include the Pocari Sweat Run this coming July and the world’s most prestigious motorcycle racing event, MotoGP, in October 2026.

Interestingly, Iqbal noted that NTB’s success in increasing foreign flight allocations is occurring amidst a trend of declining international routes in several other regions of Indonesia.

“While foreign airlines are reducing schedules to various destinations in Indonesia, Lombok has actually managed to increase its schedule significantly,” Iqbal emphasised.

In the past year, the local government has successfully encouraged the opening of five new flight destinations.

If the permits for the Darwin and Perth (Australia) routes are finalised, Iqbal noted that NTB will soon secure seven new international destinations. In addition to opening new routes, he continued, the government has also successfully added 12 flight schedules to existing routes.

“With increasingly open flight access, NTB is now ready to cater to international tourists while strengthening its position as a primary magnet for the future of Indonesian tourism,” he said.