Foreign firms make shortlist to take over Lombok Airport
More than two dozen private companies are in the running to take over the operation of Indonesia’s Lombok International Airport.
State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura I has approved preliminary bids of 26 foreign and domestic firms.
Up for grabs is a 30-year joint concession for the upgrading, financing and operation of the airport worth nearly US$700 million.
Foreign entities in the running include the operators of Amsterdam Schipol, Singapore’s Changi Airport, Munich Airport and Incheon Airport in South Korea.
"We highly appreciate the enthusiasm of all 26 strategic partner candidates, who are among the world’s best airport operators and Indonesia’s best infrastructure companies," said Angkasa Pura I President Director Faik Fahmi.
"All of them have a commitment to work together to develop Lombok International Airport."
Lombok Airport is planning a major expansion to double passenger capacity to seven million, and increase runway length to accommodate wide body aircraft.
However, it has struggled to attract foreign airlines with just three scheduled international routes before the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is despite a growing tourism industry on Lombok and the nearby Mandalika special economic zone designated by the government as a super priority tourism destination.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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