Lombok Welcomes Indonesia-Turkey Route: New Connectivity to Boost Mandalika and West Nusa Tenggara Tourism

Imagine flying directly from Turkey and landing on a tropical island with glass-clear seas, white sand, and the panorama of Mount Rinjani in the distance. No longer just a dream, Lombok will soon become a new gateway for international tourism connectivity after being included in the list of new Indonesia-Turkey flight routes.

This significant step is expected to mark a new chapter for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) tourism, positioning Lombok Airport as one of the world's gateways to the tropical paradises of eastern Indonesia.

Lombok Airport Welcomes the World

According to Lombok Airport's Public Relations Manager, Angga Maruli Anugrah, the airport has prepared its best infrastructure and facilities to welcome the new flights.

"We are ready to serve new routes, whether domestic or international," he stated in Central Lombok on Thursday.

Lombok Airport now meets international standards and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including those used for long-haul flights.

"Like during the MotoGP event held at the Mandalika Circuit. The arrival of crew, racers, and logistics proceeded smoothly as planned," he added.

With experience managing global tourist flows, Lombok Airport is confident in its ability to become the main hub for this new connectivity between Indonesia and Turkey.

From Istanbul to Lombok: Connected Tourism Trails

The planned Lombok-Turkey route is more than just an additional flight path. It symbolizes the cultural and economic connection between two countries with extraordinary historical richness.

The agreement was reached during bilateral air transport consultations between Indonesia and Turkey held on October 22–23, 2025, in Istanbul.

"This meeting resulted in the signing of two important documents: a record of discussion and an implementing arrangement, which form the basis for strengthening air relations and flight cooperation between the two countries," said Agustinus Budi Hartono, Director of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation.

During the meeting, eight new destinations in Indonesia were officially added to the agreement: Yogyakarta, Majalengka, Manado, Medan, Balikpapan, Sorong, Kediri, and Lombok, complementing the two main cities previously included, Jakarta and Denpasar.

Meanwhile, on the Turkish side, two new cities, Izmir and Bodrum, were added alongside Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.

Connectivity Uniting Tourism and Economy

For Lombok, this new route could be a game changer for the tourism sector. Tourists from Eastern Europe and the Middle East can now reach NTB without transiting in Jakarta or Bali.

"This capacity increase is a strategic step to open broader connectivity between Indonesia and Turkey. This agreement also opens opportunities for airlines to explore new routes beyond Jakarta and Denpasar," explained Agustinus.

Beyond expanding tourism access, this cooperation also paves the way for regional economic growth, strengthens trade networks, and creates new investment opportunities, especially in strategic areas like Mandalika, now globally recognized through MotoGP.

Concrete Steps Towards Lombok Go Global

Although the Lombok-Turkey flight schedule awaits an official decision, Lombok Airport has declared its full readiness.

"We will announce once there is information regarding the flight schedule for the new Lombok-Turkey route," said Angga.

With modern facilities, experience hosting international events, and support from various stakeholders, Lombok is ready to elevate its status as a global tourism hub.

Because in this era of connectivity, a new flight isn't just an added route—it opens a window for the world to see Indonesia's beauty from the sky. (Antara)