Jetstar Asia has announced the launch of a direct flight between Singapore and the Indonesian town of Labuan Bajo, considered the ‘gateway’ to Komodo National Park.
The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and is home to thousands of Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizard species, according to UNESCO.
Komodo National Park is the only place these lizards are found in the wild, adding to the mystique of the reptiles, which are known to attack humans on rare occasions.
The park, which spans several islands in Indonesia, can be accessed by boat from Labuan Bajo.
Singapore-based low-cost airline Jetstar Asia has announced that twice-weekly flights to Labuan Bajo will begin on March 20. The airline will be the only airline operating this route.
In a press release announcing the new flights, Lim Chin Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president of air hub and cargo development, said: “This is the first time that Changi Airport will be directly connected to this great destination. ” he said.
One of the “Five New Bali”
Popular with divers, Labuan Bajo was named one of the 10 New Balis in 2016 in a government plan to promote other Indonesian destinations outside of Bali.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was scaled back to five new Balis, including Borobudur, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Likupang, and Labuan Bajo.
The town has long been considered difficult to access, with many international travelers choosing to visit the area by cruise ship. International flights to Labuan Bajo’s airport, named “Komodo International Airport”, began in 2024 with the opening of AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone called Labuan Bajo a “hidden gem” in Indonesia and an “incredible holiday hotspot”.
However, some conservation groups argue that increased tourism has threatened the habitat of the endangered Komodo dragon since 2019, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Officials at Komodo National Park are planning to implement periodic and short-term park closures this year to reduce the negative impact of tourism and encourage visitors to explore activities beyond the park, according to local officials. The company is reportedly considering a plan to introduce it (even if it’s just for one day). media.
