Central Lombok Develops Air Plane Hub at Batujai Dam, 2 Armada Operating in 2026

JAKARTA - The Batujai Dam in the Central Lombok Regency in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province is a pilot project for the construction of an air plane hub to increase tourism visits in the local area.

"This plan has been long and has been communicated with the Governor of NTB. In 2026 it is planned to be operational in support of tourism development," said the Regent of Central Lombok, Lalu Pathul Bahri, when receiving investors for the construction of a Canadian-made seaplane in Central Lombok, Thursday, quoted by Antara.

He said that the development of an air plane in Central Lombok was to support the increase in tourism and the market for this air plane for middle to upper-class tourists who need safe and comfortable services to see the beauty of Lombok and other tourist attractions.

"This Batujai dam will become a hub terminal for air plane flights," he said.

He said the flight route of this air plane could go to Bali, Sumbawa, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Mandalika and Senggigi, as well as to NTT.

"This way will accelerate connectivity between tourist destinations," he said.

Meanwhile, the investor for the development of the Maechal water plane said that the economic growth in West Nusa Tenggara is currently very good and the tourist destinations in Lombok and Sumbawa are very beautiful and interesting to visit by tourists.

"This new way to support community economic growth and increase tourist visits in NTB," he said.

He said this water plane was to support the connectivity needed by tourists who were fast and comfortable.

"This air plane flight is to accelerate access to tourist destinations in NTB and Bali," he said.

Vice President of AmanAir Daniel Dwi Ananta said that for the first phase of construction, which is a hangar or aircraft storage area with a land area of about 50 acres.

"We will build a storage place for the aircraft first," he said.

However, for now, his party is in communication with the government and related parties for the investment permit process for the development of the water plane.

"There were two planes that were operated and planned to operate in 2026," he said.