TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has opened ten airports in Indonesia for international flight arrivals and tourists, one of which is Lombok International Airport managed by state-airport operator Angkasa Pura I (AP I).

AP I relation manager Arif Haryanto said on April 8 that the airport will serve AirAsia with Kuala Lumpur - Lombok round trip flights and Scoot Tigerair serving Singapore - Lombok round trip flights. The Lombok International Airport, he explained, in its preparation is able to welcome international tourists.

“We are still waiting for the preparation of the carriers regarding the exact date of the operations,” he said to Tempo on Friday, April 8.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the passengers' traffic hit 8,000 at this airport every day, which comes from 80 flights but is now only serving passenger traffic of around 4,000 on a daily basis.

AirAsia and SilkAir have served flights to Lombok International Airport. AirAsia has two different routes, namely from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Perth, Western Australia. Meanwhile, SilkAir serves passengers from Singapore and vice versa.

The chairperson of the NTB Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA), Dewantoro Umbu Joka said he is relieved with the reopening of international borders at the island’s airport, mainly the dropping of the quarantine requirement.

Read: Lombok Airport Provides Vaccine Booster Service

SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID (CONTRIBUTOR)