UPDATE SUNDAY OCTOBER 13th 2024: Great news!! While it has come later than planned, Wings Air will resume flying between Kupang (KOE) and Rote NTT (RTI) from October 27th 2024.
You can now book flights online at Lion Air directly. If you are not in Indonesia and want to book these flights ahead of time you will most likely need a VPN. Alternatively you can us Sky Scanner or trip.com to book using foreign cards (more information on how to book Kupang to Rote flights here).
Wings Air flights from Kupang (KOE) to Rote NTT (RTI) will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. So bear this in mind when planning your travel to Kupang.
At the time of writing, tickets for Wings Air flights from Kupang to Rote NTT, cost 1,044,300 IDR one way per person, (around 65 USD).
Wings Air flights will depart Kupang at 09:00am, arriving in Rote 30 minutes later at 09:30am. The return flight from Rote to Kupang will depart Rote at 10:00am arriving at 10:30am.
Things you will want to know:
Wings Air Surfboard Policy and Fees
Our original article was written before Wings Air released this news so we will update all the information to be correct as of the time of writing. If you have any questions, reach out to us on our socials.
Great news for anyone who has been wanting to visit Rote, but really dislike Indonesian ferries! Wings Air has announced the resumption of its flight service between Kupang and Rote Island, set to begin on October 27th, 2024.
This article was originally written on August 13th 2024. It was then updated on October 13th 2024 to reflect new information released by Wings Air.
Wings Air Kupang to Rote Flight Schedule
Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air Group, operates 4 weekly flights connecting El Tari International Airport in Kupang (KOE) with D.C. Saudale Airport on Rote Island (RTI).
The flight details are as follows:
- Kupang to Rote Island (KOE – RTI):
- Flight Number: IW1937
- Departure Time: 09:00am
- Arrival Time: 09:30am
- Rote Island to Kupang (RTI – KOE):
- Flight Number: IW1934
- Departure Time: 10:00am
- Arrival Time: 10:30am
Flights are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only. So make sure to factor this into your travel plans before Kupang.
With a flight time of just 30 minutes, visitors can now bypass the longer ferry options, saving time and energy.
Where to book Wings Air Kupang to Rote flights
Book directly at Lion Air
If you are trying to book from outside Indonesia, you will likely need a VPN to get through the booking system. You may sometimes also run into issues completing payments using a foreign card. But don’t worry cause you can also…
Book through Sky Scanner
Booking through Sky Scanner allows you to see offers through other travel partners, like trip.com, eDreams or lastminute.com
Book on Trip.com
Trip.com is a great option to book with foreign cards and is actually one of the worlds largest online travel agencies. It is one of the most reliable platforms to book flights online in Indonesia.
Do You Still Need an Overnight Stay in Kupang?
When the talk of the flight route resuming came up back in August we were all so excited, remembering the old times of being able to travel from Jakarta or Bali to Rote in a single day. BUT….. That’s not going to be the case this time. Chances are you will still need an over night stay in Kupang before completing your journey early the next day.
Check out our guide to Kupang to make the most of your visit to the city.
When Traveling to Rote
If you are traveling through Bali, you will need an overnight stay in Kupang. The earliest flights from Bali to Kupang arrive at 11:50am, meaning you will have to wait for the flight the following day. If arriving in Rote on the same day is important to you, your only option is the afternoon slow ferry.
If you are traveling through Jakarta you can avoid the overnight stay. If you do not mind traveling overnight, there are flights from Citilink and Batik Air that depart Jakarta around 2:00am, and arrive in Kupang around 06:15am. This allows you enough time to catch the 09:00am flight from Kupang to Rote. Otherwise you will also need to stay a night in Kupang on your trip to Rote.
When Leaving Rote
Thankfully, for your return journey, the morning flights mean you have enough time to connect to afternoon flights from Kupang. There are several afternoon flight options from Kupang to Bali Denpasar or Jakarta, meaning you do not need to stay the extra night in Kupang if you do not want to.
Wings Air Surfboard Policy and Fees
If you have traveled with surfboards in Indonesia before, you will know it can be complicated, and if you’ve been following any Indo surf travel groups or forums, you might have heard about the change in surfboard fees.
Wings Air Surfboard Fees
Wings Air charge 1,000,000 IDR per surfboard (about 65 USD at time of writing).
And thanks to the growth in surf travel to Rote, they know to look inside the bags and count your boards. Bear in mind, you will also have to pay 500,000 IDR per board to fly Lion Air from Jakarta or Bali, traveling with a bunch of board can be really add the costs to your trip.
If you are on a budget, the ferry options are a lot cheaper.
Surfboard fees are paid in cash when you check-in at Kupang.
Surfboard Size Policies on Wings Air
Maximum length is 200cm (about 6 feet 6 inches)
Wings Air operates the ATR-600 aircraft between Kupang and Rote. These are smaller propeller powered aircraft (68-74 seats) and with the smaller size comes more limitations on surfboard sizes.
If flying on a propeller-type aircraft (IW), the maximum length is 200cm (about 6 feet 6 inches). Meaning if you are traveling with longer boards you will need to either take the ferry option, or arrange sending your surfboard on the ferry while you fly.
What Does It Mean for Rote Island Tourism
The reintroduction of this air route is expected to have a significant impact on Rote Island’s tourism industry. Previously, reaching this remote paradise required a more complex journey involving flights to Kupang followed by a ferry or speedboat ride. The new direct flights will not only cut travel time dramatically but also make the island more accessible to a wider range of travelers.
This improved accessibility is likely to boost visitor numbers, potentially leading to:
- Increased economic opportunities for local businesses
- Greater investment in tourism infrastructure
- Enhanced visibility of Rote Island as a prime Indonesian destination
However, it’s worth noting that the charm of Rote Island lies in its unspoiled beauty and laid-back atmosphere. As visitor numbers potentially increase, it will be crucial for both travelers and local authorities to prioritize sustainable tourism practices to preserve the island’s unique character.
What This Means for Travelers
For those planning a trip to Rote Island, this new flight option offers several advantages:
- Time-saving: The short 30-minute flight significantly reduces travel time compared to sea-based options.
- Comfort: Air travel provides a more comfortable experience, especially for those prone to seasickness.
- Reliability: Potentially fewer weather-related disruptions compared to sea travel. However, Wings Air are not best known for being on-time.
- You can fly with surfboards: Wings Air typically has surfboard-friendly policies, which is great news for surfers heading to Rote’s famous breaks, BUT it isn’t cheap. More on that next.
Planning Your Trip
These flights are likely to be in high demand, especially during peak surfing season (May to September). Early booking is recommended to secure your preferred travel dates.
- Book Flights Ahead of Time: Flights from Bali to Kupang often sell out, so do not leave booking until last minute. You can also take advantage of promo deals which can be quite a lot cheaper when you book in advance on Lion Air. Flights from Kupang to Rote are smaller aircraft again, and with only 4 flights a week, expect them to regularly be full.
- Book Your Kupang Hotel in Advance: If you are going to need an overnight stay in Kupang, we recommend the Aston Hotel. It is a very comfortable hotel, with ocean views, really great staff and a massive all you can eat buffet breakfast. These reasons make it quite popular so book ahead of time. You can great some great deals if you have Genius status on booking.com.
- Bring Cash To Pay For Surfboards: If you are traveling with surfboards, these will need to be paid in cash when you check in.
Conclusion
The resumption of Wings Air flights between Kupang and Rote Island will be an exciting new chapter for this Rote Island. While it is nothing new, as a lot has changed since Wings Air stopped flying a few years ago. There are more homestays, more resorts and a lot more interest from foreign investors looking to ‘get in early’. By making the journey shorter and more convenient, these flights open up Rote Island to everyone where before, some might have been put off by the ferry crossing.
