Held for the second time at the Mandalika International Circuit on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday and Sunday, Injourney's subsidiary airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I lengthened the Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Lombok International Airport's runway from 2,750 meters to 3,300 m, Injourney said in a press release issued on Friday.

This allowed the airport to serve bigger wide-body aircraft of the Boeing 777 class.

Angkasa Pura I president director Faik Fahmi added that the airport's apron was also enlarged from 108,100 square meters to 136,300 sq. m.

The new apron can accommodate 16 aircraft consisting of 10 narrow-body and six wide-body aircraft.

For cargo operation, the airport built a 1,500-m access road to the cargo terminal and a 6,000-sq. m cargo area that can house 40 cargo trucks.

"We are fully committed to supporting the race by providing prime services and preparing the airport's infrastructure," Faik said in the release.

The airport received 176 tons of race logistics and equipment, which were carried by three cargo aircraft from Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Malaysian Arlines.

A truck passes carrying cars as Qatar Airways Boeing 777 cargo aircraft unloads the equipment and logistics for the 2022 World Superbike at the Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Lombok International Airport in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara on Nov. 1, 2022. (Courtesy of Injourney/-)

Meanwhile, circuit operator Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) president director Priandhi Satria said the circuit infrastructure had been upgraded as per the request made by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM).

The improvements included changes to curbs as well as improving the circuit’s asphalt quality

“The works on track improvement were done five days faster than the deadline set by the FIM and to the required quality,” Priandhi said.

He added that there were also improvements in traffic management and crowd control for WSBK spectators.

The preparations were implemented not only for the smooth operation of the race but also for the convenience and safety of the spectators arriving at, during the race and leaving the circuit, he said.

The organizing committee had prepared more than 10,000 rooms for spectators during the two-day race.

Also upgraded were parking capacity and connecting roads, Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) president director Ari Respati said.

“The ITDC provided 30 parking areas with a total capacity of 16,350 parking spaces, spread throughout the circuit area as well as at Mandalika,” he said.

The parking areas were divided into ring 1 with 17 parking areas at a distance of 1 kilometer, ring 2 with two parking areas at 2 km, and ring 3 with 11 parking areas at 3 km. (nvn)