Airport in Lombok - All about the Lombok International Airport

Lombok is an Indonesian island separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait. Similar in size and culture to Bali, Lombok is known for its beaches, smaller islands, surfing, trekking, and partying options. Trying to find a stronghold in the tourism circuit of Southeast Asia, Lombok is increasingly attracting more and more crowds. To ensure that Lombok is easily accessible by the world, the Lombok International Airport began operating in 2011. Airports in Lombok Lombok has only one operational airport called Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport or the Lombok International Airport. Selaparang Airport was the earlier airport in Lombok and was replaced by the Lombok International Airport in October 2011.

About the Lombok International Airport

Backstory
The proposal to build the Lombok International Airport began as early as in 2005 and was one of the main ideas to showcase and attract tourism on the island. Also called the Bandara Internasional Lombok or BIL the name of the airport was chosen after conducting a public poll. 40% of the public chose the name Lombok International Airport (LOP), and the formal IATA code LOP came into force in November 2011.

Beginning of the Lombok International Airport
The Lombok International Airport has a single terminal that is used both for domestic and international flights. The terminal hosts both local and international amenities and facilities.

Amenities
For both domestic and international flights at the airport in Lombok, the first level area is for arrivals, and, the second level for departures. The terminal is equipped to handle more than 2.4 million passengers every year.

Unlike its predecessor the Selaparang Airport, the Lombok International Airport can handle widebody high capacity airliners, such as Boeing 767 and Airbus A320 along with the smaller planes.

Location of the Lombok International Airport

• The Lombok International Airport is located southwest of Mataram at Tanak Awu in the Kabupaten Lombok Tengah.
• It is southwest of the city of Praya.
• 40km away from Mataram the airport is 55 km away from the tourist-friendly area of Senggigi.
• It takes about 1.5-hour drive to Senggigi and 2-hour drive to reach the jetty at Teluk Nara from where one can cross to the Gili islands.
• From the airport, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Kuta.

Facilities and Services

Though a relatively small transport hub, the airport in Lombok offers various facilities and services for the comfort of its passengers.

Ticketing counter
Booking kiosk and a tour desk are available at the airport. In case you are unable to book any tickets online, the bookings counter can help you book your flight ticket. The airlines for which you can book tickets across the ticketing counters are Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air and Lion Air.

ATM
Several ATMs of Indonesian banks, such as BRI, Mandiri, BCA and BNI can be found readily at Lombok International Airport. The ATM is convenient when it comes to withdrawing the local currency for expenses at the airport or while travelling out into the city.

Food and Drinks
There are restaurants and coffee shops at the airport. Solaria restaurant serves up some excellent Indonesian cuisine, whereas you can sip on some good coffee at the Excelso Café Lombok. However, most eateries at the airport in Lombok close by 11 pm so travellers on late-night flights are encouraged to buy their snacks in advance.

Airport Lounges
There are a few lounges that you can pay and enter. The Concordia Lounge, Sky one lounge, Sheraton VIP departure lounge are some of the airport lounge services that can be availed on payment.     

Free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a much-needed necessity in our times and the airport in Lombok provides uninterrupted Wi-Fi service to its passengers to help them stay connected.

Miscellaneous
Besides, there is a bookstore, health station, currency exchange outlet and smoking area available at the airport.

Modes of Transport

There are various transportations available from the airport at Lombok to facilitate the journey from the airport to a destination or hotel. Most tourists usually commute to Mataram, Senggigi, Kuta or the Gili Islands after their arrival. Taxis, Ojeks and buses are available at the airport to facilitate transportation.

Airport Taxi
Airport taxis are readily available at the airport taxi service counter. It is best to hire the official metered taxis which are dark blue coloured. A taxi counter is available at both the international and domestic arrivals. Besides, the metered airport taxis, other authentic taxi services found at the airport include the Bluebird Taxi and Express Taxi.
Cab services
You can also share a cab using the various private cab booking online services.
Car Rentals
Car Rental companies are also found at both domestic and international arrivals. If one possesses a valid worldwide driving license, then you can rent a car for self-driving.  Otherwise, car rentals, along with driver services, are also available.
Bus Services
The DAMRI bus service is available from the airport to the Terminal Mandalika the city bus stop situated on the eastern edge of Mataram and western outskirt of Senggigi. The bus ticket can be purchased at the DAMRI bus counter at both the international and domestic arrivals.
Ojeks
The Ojeks are motorbike taxis that ply to Mataram, Senggigi and Kuta.
Four Wheeler Parking
Car parking is available at the Lombok International Airport. There are paved parking spaces along with the main terminal, as well as in the administrative and cargo areas. The entrance to the parking area is through a single access point along the nearby highway.

Airlines

Lombok has visa on arrival. International and domestic flights connecting Lombok are as follow:

International flights:
1. Silk Air connecting Singapore to Lombok
2. Garuda Airlines that fly between Lombok and Kuala Lumpur, with a stopover at Jakarta
3. Air Asia connects Kuala Lumpur with Lombok.

Domestic airlines:
Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, Wings Air and Batik Air connect Lombok to Bali, Makassar, Surabaya, Jakarta and Bima or Sumbawa.

Attractions Around the Lombok International Airport

The airport at Lombok gives easy access to the island of Lombok, offering myriad activities and landscapes to explore.
1. Mount Rinjani dominates the landscape of Lombok and is one of the best trekking routes to conquer.
2. One can try scuba diving and surf at Sekotong and Kuta.
3. Visit the nearby many Gili islands to explore nature’s beautiful creations or party hard at Gili Trawangan in particular.
4. A stay in luxury at the Tanjung or discovering the reefs, bays and inlets from Desert Point to Ekas are memorable lifetime experiences.  

The Lombok International Airport with its cosy and comfortable ambience is hence the perfect invite to the pleasantly tranquil yet splendid island.