Selaparang Airport

The airport was closed as part of a strategic replacement plan. Its operations were moved to the newly constructed Lombok International Airport (IATA: LOP, ICAO: WADL). The primary reasons for this replacement were:
1. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** Selaparang's runway, at 2,100 meters (6,890 ft), was too short to accommodate wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A330, which are essential for long-haul international tourism and cargo.
2. **Urban Encroachment:** Located in the heart of Mataram city, the airport was surrounded by urban development, making it impossible to extend the runway or expand terminal facilities to meet growing demand.
3. **Capacity Constraints:** The terminal building was small and frequently operated beyond its capacity, leading to congestion and a subpar passenger experience.
4. **Economic and Tourism Growth:** To support the Indonesian government's plan to develop Lombok and the surrounding West Nusa Tenggara province as a major international tourist destination, a larger, more modern airport with greater capacity was required.

Since its closure to commercial traffic, the Selaparang Airport site has not been demolished and has been repurposed for various activities. The runway, taxiways, and terminal buildings largely remain intact. Current and past uses include:
- **Aviation Training:** It serves as a base for flight schools, most notably the Lombok Institute of Flight Technology (LIFT), which uses the runway for student pilot training.
- **Event Venue:** The vast, open paved areas are frequently used for large-scale public events, including automotive drag races, car and motorcycle club gatherings, concerts, and the annual provincial exhibition (NTB Expo).
- **Disaster Relief Hub:** Following the 2018 Lombok earthquakes, the former airport was used as a major logistics and staging area for humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations due to its large, accessible space.
- **Public Space:** The area is also used informally by the local community for recreation and sports.

For decades, Selaparang Airport was the primary and sole air gateway to the island of Lombok and the West Nusa Tenggara province. Its historical IATA code was **AMI** (derived from the nearby district of Ampenan) and its ICAO code was **WADA**. (Note: The ICAO code ID-0319 provided in the query is a non-standard identifier; WADA was its official code when operational).

Key aspects of its operational history include:
- **Main Hub for Lombok:** It served as the crucial entry point for tourists visiting popular destinations like Senggigi Beach, the Gili Islands, and Mount Rinjani.
- **Domestic and International Operations:** The airport handled a high volume of domestic flights connecting Lombok to major Indonesian hubs such as Jakarta (CGK), Surabaya (SUB), and Denpasar (DPS). Airlines like Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Lion Air, and Wings Air were regular operators.
- **Limited International Flights:** It also facilitated international travel, primarily with short-haul flights from regional hubs like Singapore (operated by SilkAir) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (operated by AirAsia).
- **Economic Driver:** The airport was instrumental in the initial development of Lombok's tourism-based economy, providing essential connectivity for both leisure and business travel before its capacity became a limiting factor.

There are active and ongoing discussions by the Indonesian government to reactivate Selaparang Airport. The plan is not for it to replace or compete with the main Lombok International Airport (LOP), but to complement it with a specialized role. As of 2023-2024, prospects for reopening are strong, with support from the Ministry of Transportation.

Proposed new functions include:
- **General Aviation and Private Jets:** To serve as a dedicated airport for private, chartered, and VIP aircraft, catering to high-end tourism.
- **MRO Facility:** To establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility for aircraft.
- **Intra-island Hub:** To handle smaller, short-range turboprop aircraft for flights to other islands within the West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, improving local connectivity.
- **Hajj Embarkation:** It has been considered as a secondary point for Hajj pilgrimage flights to reduce congestion at LOP.

While there is significant government interest and planning is underway, a definitive timeline for the full reactivation has not yet been officially announced.