How to get to Komodo Island? Jetstar Asia to fly from Singapore

Jetstar Asia will launch direct flights linking Singapore to Labuan Bajo, the Indonesian city considered the “gateway” to Komodo National Park, the company said.

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, adding to the mystique of the reptiles that, on rare occasions, they have been known to attack humans.

The park, which is spread over several islands in Indonesia, is accessible from Labuan Bajo via boat.

Singapore-based low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia said twice-weekly flights to Labuan Bajo will begin on March 20. The airline will be the only carrier operating this route.

Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president for air hub and cargo development, said in a press release announcing the new flights: “This is the first time that the airport Changi is directly connected to this amazing destination.”

Popular with divers, Labuan Bajo was named one of 10 New Balis in 2016, a government 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. International flights to Labuan Bajo Airport, named “Komodo International Airport”, will begin 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 threatens the habitat of Komodo dragons, which have been endangered since 2019, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Komodo National Park officials are considering a plan to institute regular short-term park closures – even as short as one day – this year to mitigate the negative effects of tourism and encourage visitors to explore the activities outside the park, according to local media.