A Lombok seaplane service is back in the news, and it’s the kind of headline that makes you picture skipping the harbor altogether and landing right off Gili Trawangan. On October 15, West Nusa Tenggara’s governor said the province would start operating Indonesia’s first regular civil seaplane flights by the end of this year. It’s an exciting idea. It’s also one with a history of moving dates, so here’s what’s actually confirmed and what isn’t.
The Lombok seaplane plan in the governor’s words
Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal made the announcement while hosting a delegation of media, influencers and travel agents from the United Arab Emirates. In his words, as reported by ANTARA: God willing, at the end of this year we will start operating Indonesia’s first regular civil seaplane flights that land directly on water. He said landing docks are being built at several points, including Gili Trawangan and Pulau Moyo off Sumbawa, so that travelers could fly from the airport straight to their island.
The same evening, the governor met the operator, Aman Air, at his office. SUARANTB reported on October 17 that the province and Aman Air are finalizing plans covering seaplanes, marina infrastructure and superyacht tourism along the NTB coast. The company’s director, Michael Allan Nicholas, said a maintenance room and a ticketing room have already been prepared at the airport, and that his team has decades of experience flying seaplanes in Canada.
A test flight, not a timetable
Here’s the detail that matters most. According to SUARANTB, what’s actually targeted for December is a test flight, timed to coincide with the province’s anniversary. The routes described in that report run from Bali, at Pelindo Benoa, to NTB destinations such as Mandalika and on to Teluk Saleh. That’s a little different from the governor’s framing of regular flights by year end, so we’d treat December as the start of testing rather than the day you can book a seat.
It’s also not the first target date. Back in December 2025, RRI reported that Aman Air was aiming to start operations in the second quarter of 2026, using Batujai dam in Central Lombok as a base, with two Twin Otter aircraft carrying 16 to 18 passengers each, mainly on charter. The plans then included Benoa, Gili Trawangan and the other Gilis, and Pulau Moyo. That second-quarter target came and went. None of the October reports explains why, or says which base and aircraft will be used now.
So why does it matter? Right now, getting from Lombok’s airport to the Gilis means a drive across the island to the northwest coast and then a boat. A direct hop from the airport to the island would cut out those transfers, and that’s clearly the appeal. But until there’s a published route and price, there’s honestly no way to say how much time or money it would save, or who it’s really aimed at, everyday travelers or the superyacht and charter crowd mentioned in the same plans.
What nobody has published yet
As of mid-October we haven’t found any published fares, timetables or confirmed routes, and no report says whether the aviation permits for regular passenger service are in place. The governor did announce a new provincial company, NTB Capital, to help investors with permits across ministries, but that’s about the process, not a sign-off. Treat any seaplane booking offer you see before an official launch with caution.
How to get to the Gilis in the meantime
Until seaplanes are actually flying, the Gilis work the way they always have: by boat. Most travelers cross from Bangsal harbor on Lombok’s northwest coast, and there are fast boats from Bali too. Our Bali to Lombok guide compares the options, and our Gili Islands guide helps you pick between Trawangan, Air and Meno. For the bigger picture behind the announcement, see our piece on Lombok quality tourism and the Gulf market.
If you’d rather keep island-hopping simple, it helps to stay close to the boats. A beachfront base within easy reach of the Gili boats on the Senggigi to Mangsit coast lets you do the islands as relaxed day trips, seaplane or no seaplane.
This article draws on reporting from ANTARA, SUARANTB, Kabar NTB and RRI Mataram.
When will seaplane flights start in Lombok?
The governor said regular flights would start by the end of 2026, while the operator is targeting a test flight in December. No commercial start date, fares or timetable had been published as of mid-October 2026.
Who will operate seaplanes in Lombok?
The operator is Aman Air, also reported as PT AmanAir, whose director says the team has decades of seaplane experience in Canada.
Will seaplanes fly to Gili Trawangan?
The governor said landing docks are being built at points including Gili Trawangan and Pulau Moyo. Final routes have not been published, so the Gilis are still reached by boat for now.
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