The Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Lombok International Airport recorded a 74% increase in passenger traffic in Q1 of 2022 compared to Q1 2021.
As reported by Beritabali.com, 430,080 domestic and international air passengers flew via The Lombok International Airport during the period January-March 2022, while only 247,263 passengers passed through the airport in the same period one year before.
In a press statement on Saturday, 02 April 2022, the General Manager of the Lombok International Airport, Nugroho Jati, said: “Aircraft movements (during Q1 2022) also increased. From 3,186 flights in Q1 2021, 4,125 flights were operating from Lombok’s airport in Q1 2022, increasing 29%.”
The increase in passengers handled and flight movements recorded were affected by the inaugural MotoGP 2022 held at the newly opened Mandalika Race Circuit in March 2022. Traffic through the Lombok air gateway surged in March compared to the volume measured in January and February 2022. In January 2022, around 126,00 passengers passed through the airport, with only 103,000 passengers recorded in February 2022.
Meanwhile, in March 2022, the number of passengers rose dramatically to more than 200,000. In March, an average of 6,000 daily passengers used the airport, while in the January-February period, the average number of passengers was around 4,000.
Airport management in Lombok remains hopeful that passenger numbers at the new and modern Lombok International Airport will remain strong as tourism in Indonesia continues to grow and the government deregulates passenger movements.
The MotoGP 2022 Event held on 18-20 March 2022 at the brand new Mandalika Race Circuit saw an average of 18,000 passengers use the Lombok air gateway between 17 and 23 March 2022. In the same period, 98 daily aircraft movements were recorded to handle the influx of race spectators and participants.
The peak in passenger arrivals was recorded on 18 March 2022, when 8,900 passengers landed in Lombok. The peak day for departures occurred on 21 March 2022, when 11,000 passengers flew out of Lombok.
In connection with the MotoGP 2022, The Lombok International Airport welcomed five cargo flights on 09 March and 11 March, carrying motorcycles and logistical support for the international race event. The five cargo Qatar Airways Aircraft flew in from Doha, Qatar, carrying 404 tons of freight.