Lombok Zone – On February 28, 2026, a significant milestone was marked with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing seaplane services in NTB. The agreement was executed by NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, Central Lombok Regent H. Lalu Fathul Bahri, and PT Abadi Mega Angkutan, in the presence of Indonesia’s Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi. This initiative is not merely a new tourism route; it’s a foundational step toward enhancing connectivity across the islands of NTB.
The push for improved connectivity aligns with the regional development goals articulated in the RPJMD, which emphasizes quality tourism, effective connectivity, and the blue economy as key competitive pillars. For an archipelagic province like NTB, robust connectivity is a prerequisite for equitable growth.
Governor Iqbal understands the challenges posed by NTB’s numerous smaller islands, where accessibility often hampers potential development. While marine transport remains essential, its reliance on weather conditions can lead to lengthy travel times, sometimes lasting several hours. In contrast, seaplane services could significantly reduce these durations to mere minutes, representing a major leap in travel efficiency.
Choosing the Batujai Dam as the operational base for the seaplane services was a decision backed by meticulous technical calculations. Its proximity to Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport allows for several operational advantages:
- Centralized Air Traffic Control (ATC) enhances communication and oversight, minimizing operational fragmentation.
- Efficient navigation is achieved due to the close distance to essential infrastructure, reducing the need for expensive separate systems.
- Integrated facilities lower duplication costs, improving the project’s financial viability.
- Safety protocols benefit from quicker emergency response due to the alignment with the international airport’s operational ecosystem.
Thus, the choice of Batujai was driven by aviation logic and safety standards rather than aesthetic considerations. The development roadmap emphasizes a phased and measured approach, starting with:
- Ensuring the waterbase meets aviation safety standards and Ministry of Transportation regulations.
- Synchronizing licensing and operational SOPs, including procedures for water aerodromes.
- Constructing environmentally friendly facilities.
- Conducting operational trials prior to route expansion.
Coordination with dam management will ensure that the primary functions of irrigation remain protected. The seaplane operations are designed to coexist with existing infrastructure without compromising water governance or safety.
From an economic perspective, the seaplane initiative supports a strategy of low-volume, high-value tourism, wherein controlled tourist numbers yield greater economic contributions. Its impact extends beyond just aviation operators to:
- Boosting visits to smaller islands.
- Increasing occupancy rates for homestays and eco-resorts.
- Fostering the growth of coastal SMEs.
- Enhancing local tourism revenue.
In a 5–10 year outlook, this swift connectivity could stimulate investments in small island resorts, broaden the conservation tourism market, and streamline logistics for high-value fish commodities.
This air-water connectivity also has cross-sector implications:
- It promotes the blue economy by facilitating the mobility of entrepreneurs and investors.
- It enables emergency medical access from remote islands.
- It strengthens regional links among Bali, NTB, and NTT in tourism and investment flows.
- It acts as a catalyst for sustainability-focused areas that blend conservation with local economic growth.
In conclusion, the seaplane initiative is not just a standalone project; it is a pivotal hub for integrating policies that encompass tourism, fisheries, investment, and sustainable development. Public apprehensions regarding the elitism of the service are being addressed, as initial premium segments are set to unlock broader economic benefits through job creation, SME partnerships, and local services.
Concerns about environmental friendliness are also being tackled, with facilities designed according to green principles and safety regulations that ensure economic growth aligns with sustainability.
The policy is built on transparency and accountability, foundational elements that will help earn public legitimacy. NTB’s differentiated advantage of an integrated waterbase with an international airport strengthens its position in the national and regional tourism map.
Governor Iqbal emphasizes that this initiative transforms NTB from merely being a prime destination into a connected and competitive archipelagic ecosystem. The Batujai seaplane service marks not the end, but the beginning of a strategic repositioning for NTB, showcasing its ability to manage its geography intelligently and sustainably. If executed consistently, this policy will not just open access to hundreds of islands but also usher in a new chapter of equitable, modern, and sustainable development.
