Lombok airport logs 66 additional flight requests for 2026 MotoGP

Mataram — — Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport in Lombok has received requests for a total of 66 additional and non-regular flights outside its normal schedule ahead of the 2026 Indonesian MotoGP at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Central Lombok, according to airport management and tourism authorities.

The Indonesian round of the MotoGP World Championship is scheduled to take place from 9–11 October 2026 at Mandalika, according to the official MotoGP calendar.

Airport general manager Aidhil Philip Julian said the 66 requested services reflect growing demand for air connectivity to Lombok in the run-up to the race weekend and immediately after, and that the number remains dynamic as airlines continue to adjust their plans.

Breakdown of flight requests

Data compiled by the airport as of 16 September 2026 shows that the 66 requests comprise different types of operations.

According to airport figures reported by local media, airlines have requested 48 extra flights outside their regular schedules, 11 charter flights, four services involving a change to larger-capacity aircraft, and three positioning flights to move aircraft into place for the race period.

Airport management has stated that these requests are intended to support higher passenger and logistics movements linked to spectators, teams and other event participants, but the final number of flights that will operate could increase as the race approaches.

The available information does not yet specify the full list of airlines, routes, flight numbers, operating dates or aircraft types associated with the 66 requested services.

Traffic growth at Lombok airport

The preparations come amid rising traffic through Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport during 2026.

Based on the airport’s air transport statistics for the first eight months of the year, management has reported handling about 1.8 million passengers from January through August 2026, up from roughly 1.5 million passengers in the same period of 2025.

Aircraft movements over January–August 2026 reached around 21,348, an increase from approximately 16,596 movements a year earlier.

Julian said the growth in passenger and aircraft movements reflects broader increases in mobility and tourism activity in West Nusa Tenggara, and that the MotoGP round is expected to further lift traffic involving visitors, industry participants and event personnel.

Operational preparations and tourism demand

The airport operator has said it is preparing service capacity, facilities, personnel and coordination with airlines, tourism agencies and other stakeholders to handle the expected additional movements.

Management is also working with Pertamina and regional partners on MotoGP-themed branding and decorations inside the terminal, incorporating elements of West Nusa Tenggara culture in areas from arrivals to departures.

At the national level, state-owned tourism holding company InJourney has reported strong demand for flights and accommodation linked to the Mandalika race.

InJourney president director Maya Watono said in recent remarks that airlines have confirmed 66 additional flights for the MotoGP period and that most of these services are expected to use wide-body aircraft, with carriers such as Garuda Indonesia, Pelita Air, Citilink and AirAsia preparing extra services to Lombok from around five days before the event.

Watono said InJourney is encouraging coordination across sectors so that visitor needs can be anticipated before arrival and during their stay in West Nusa Tenggara.

Key figures reported so far

• 66 flights requested outside the regular schedule for the MotoGP period.
• Breakdown of requests: 48 extra flights, 11 charter flights, four changes to larger aircraft and three positioning flights.
• About 1.8 million passengers handled by Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport in January–August 2026, compared with roughly 1.5 million a year earlier.

The airport and tourism authorities expect the number of additional services to remain fluid in the weeks leading up to the 9–11 October race weekend.

Sources

• Tribun Lombok
• IDN Times NTB
• Media Indonesia
• MotoGP official site
• Bisnis.com