Bali–NTB–NTT pact prioritises connectivity, but new Flores routes unconfirmed

Labuan Bajo — The East Nusa Tenggara chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA NTT) has called for stronger air connectivity within the emerging regional cooperation framework linking Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara, but detailed proposals for new routes to Maumere, Sumba and from Lombok to NTT have not been publicly documented by the organisation or provincial governments.

The three provincial governments formally signed the Regional Bali–NTB–NTT Cooperation Agreement, known as KR-BNN, at ITDC The Golo Mori in Manggarai Barat, on 28 January 2026, with transport connectivity and tourism among five strategic focus sectors, according to multiple government and media reports.

Regional cooperation under the Sunda Kecil banner

According to the NTT provincial government, the cooperation builds on earlier preparations in late 2025 and is framed as reviving the "Sunda Kecil" or Lesser Sunda Islands regional spirit.

Officials from Bali, NTB and NTT describe the KR-BNN agreement as a commitment to integrate sea and air transport systems, develop an interconnected tourism ecosystem and strengthen trade and renewable energy collaboration.

Provincial statements and local coverage say the five agreed strategic sectors are connectivity transport, tourism and the creative economy, renewable energy, trade and exports, and integrated development planning.

Connectivity goals, not confirmed new routes

Government briefings on the KR-BNN framework emphasise expanding air routes and optimising regional connectivity, but they do not specify new services from Bali to Maumere, nor direct flights from Bali to Waingapu or additional Lombok–NTT routes.

NTT’s preparatory documents for the agreement highlight "expansion of flight routes" and integrated destinations as priorities for tourism and transport cooperation, without naming particular airports in Flores or Sumba.

Media reports from the signing in Labuan Bajo similarly focus on the intent to ease movement of people and goods between the three provinces and to ensure that tourist flows are not concentrated only in Bali, rather than confirming any individual new flight pairing.

Within this context, ASITA is cited nationally as the sector association representing tour and travel agencies, but publicly available material from the association does not outline a specific Bali–Maumere, Bali–Waingapu or Lombok–NTT flight proposal attributed to its NTT chapter.

Implications for Flores and Sumba tourism

Provincial leaders argue that better air and sea links are needed to reduce logistical bottlenecks and the isolation of parts of Bali, NTB and NTT, with tourism expansion presented as one of the main expected benefits of the KR-BNN agreement.

Bali officials have framed the cooperation as a way to build an integrated tourism corridor across the three provinces, supported by transport improvements and joint promotion, so that visitor movements are more evenly distributed rather than remaining Bali-centric.

Opinion pieces and local commentary in NTT note that the signing in Labuan Bajo opens a "new chapter" for eastern Indonesia development, underlining connectivity transport and tourism as key pillars but again stopping short of listing specific new gateways such as Maumere or particular Sumba airports.

Given the absence of official confirmation of concrete new routes, potential implications for eastern Flores and Sumba remain indicative. If future decisions under the KR-BNN framework do expand flights beyond existing gateways, they could broaden options for overland itineraries across Flores and Sumba and reduce dependence on single hubs. However, as of late September 2026, neither provincial governments nor the association have publicly announced firm airline commitments, timetables or investment packages for such services.

Sources

• Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur – Pemprov NTT Matangkan Persiapan Penandatanganan Perjanjian Kerja Sama Bali–NTB–NTT
• Suara Merdeka NTT – Kerja Sama Regional Bali–NTB–NTT Resmi Dimulai, Transportasi, Pariwisata Hingga Energi Jadi Fokus
• NusaBali – Bali, NTB dan NTT Perkuat Kerja Sama Sunda Kecil
• Kata NTT – Bangkitkan Spirit Sunda Kecil, Bali, NTB, dan NTT Sepakati Kerja Sama Strategis KR-BNN
• VIVA NTT – Merajut Persaudaraan Sunda Kecil: Bali, NTB, NTT Teken Kerja Sama Pariwisata Regional
• Detik Bali – Gubernur Bali, NTB, NTT Sepakati Kerja Sama 5 Sektor Strategis
• Forum Keadilan Bali – Penandatanganan KR-BNN di Labuan Bajo, Gubernur Koster: Kita Harus Maju Bersama
• Pemerintah Provinsi Bali – Koster Bangkitkan Spirit Sunda Kecil, Satukan Perbedaan Perkuat NKRI
• Bali Post – Bali Perkuat Kerja Sama Antarprovinsi Sunda Kecil
• Pos-Kupang – Opini: Kleine Soenda Eilanden