Jetstar Asia will launch direct flights connecting Singapore with Labuan Bajo, the Indonesian city considered the “gateway” to Komodo National Park, the company announced.
The park, a UNESCO heritage site inscribed in 1991, is home to several thousand Komodo dragons, the largest species of lizard in the world, according to UNESCO.
Komodo National Park is the only place where these lizards are found in the wild, which adds to the mystique of the reptiles which, on rare occasions, they are known to attack humans.
The park, which covers several islands in Indonesia, is accessible by boat from Labuan Bajo.
Jetstar Asia, a Singapore-based low-cost carrier, said twice-weekly flights to Labuan Bajo will begin on March 20. The airline will be the only carrier to fly on this route.
Lim Ching, Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice-president of air hub and cargo development, said in a press release announcing the new flights: “This is the first time Changi Airport is directly connected to this stunning destination.”
One of the ‘Five New Balis’
Popular among divers, it is called Labuan Bajo one of 10 New Bali in 2016, the government’s plan to promote other destinations in Indonesia beyond Bali.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, the program was reduced to Five New Balis, a list that includes Borobudur, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Likupang and Labuan Bajo.
The city has long been considered difficult to reach, with many international travelers opting to visit the area by cruise ship. International flights to Labuan Bajo Airport, named “Komodo International Airport”, began in 2024, with the launch of AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone called Labuan Bajo a “hidden gem” in Indonesia and an “incredible vacation hotspot.”
However, some conservation organizations say increased tourism is threatening the habitat of the Komodo dragon, which has been listed as endangered since 2019. International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Komodo National Park officials are considering a plan to introduce regular, short-term park closures – even for a day – this year to mitigate the negative effects of tourism and encourage visitors to explore activities outside the park, according to local media.
