Komodo Airport, serving Labuan Bajo, gained its international status in 2020. Labuan Bajo is now rapidly becoming a popular destination, attracting both domestic and, more recently, international tourists. Located on the western tip of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo has transformed from a fishing town into one of the most exciting tourism centers in Flores. The presence of Komodo Airport is crucial as the area develops into a major tourist attraction, similar to Bali. This signifies the region is experiencing rapid growth, particularly following the airport's upgrade to international status, as outlined in the Decree of the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia Number KM 31 of 2024 concerning the Designation of International Airports.

Countries Interest Statistics

Source : Data from the Global Distribution System (GDS) highlights the strong interest of international tourists in the Labuan Bajo destination.

From January to early May 2024, the West Manggarai Regency Government, through the Department of Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture, reported that around 21,000 tourists visited Labuan Bajo. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023, when only about 13,000 tourists came to the area.

Among these 21,000 visitors, approximately 7,000 were international tourists and 13,000 were locals. Based on the data above, foreign interest is particularly high, with Singapore leading the list of countries sending tourists to Labuan Bajo, followed by China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Australia.

International Flights

Source : https://indonesiaairport.com/

Since Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, was designated as an international airport, it has seen a significant increase in international flight activities, both commercial and private. According to Jaya Mahendra, Head of the Class II TPI Labuan Bajo Immigration Office, there have been 31 international flights arriving at the airport since it received international status in April.

On August 14, Mahendra reported that the airport had welcomed 16 international commercial flights and 15 private jet flights. He noted that most of these international flights have been coming from Thailand and Singapore. Flights from Malaysia are not included in this count, as regular flights from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo are scheduled to begin on September 3, 2024, operated by the Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia.

Target for Airport Upgrades

Source : https://indonesiaairport.com/

Earlier this year, on January 5, Ceppy Triono, the head of Komodo Airport, was optimistic about reaching the goal of 1 million passengers in 2024. He felt confident because they had already served 860,000 passengers in 2023, making the target seem very doable.

To hit this target, which was also mentioned by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, during his visit on December 5, 2023, the airport has been working on several upgrades. These include extending the runway to handle larger planes. To reach the 1 million visitor goal, the airport needs to keep improving its infrastructure. This means expanding the apron area so it can fit more and bigger planes. Right now, the apron can handle seven planes, but they plan to increase it by 100 by 100 meters.

The terminal at Komodo Airport can currently handle 1.1 million passengers, which should be enough for the expected rise in traffic. With its upgrades and status as an international hub, the airport is expected to draw more tourists and boost the local economy, helping to grow Indonesia's tourism industry.

Future Potential

Source : Canva

Discussing the growth of Indonesia's tourism industry, Mahendra expressed strong optimism about Labuan Bajo's future. He highlighted that the introduction of an international airport in Labuan Bajo is expected to drive local economic growth, open up new opportunities for the tourism sector, and improve connectivity to other attractive destinations across Indonesia. Designated as a super-priority tourism destination by the Indonesian government, Labuan Bajo is poised to emerge as a prominent player on Southeast Asia’s tourism landscape. Mahendra believes that with the increasing number of international flights arriving at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo has the potential to establish itself as a leading tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

The upgrades at Komodo International Airport are a major move in making Labuan Bajo a top destination in Southeast Asia. These changes promise to boost the local economy and enhance the tourism sector. With direct flights from Kuala Lumpur on the way, this growth is likely to speed up even more.

Disclaimer

IndoConnex provides this information for general informational purposes only. While we aim to ensure the accuracy of the content, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information related to Komodo International Airport and its impact on Labuan Bajo's tourism development. All details, including the airport's international status, regional growth, and any associated regulatory information, are subject to change. We encourage readers to verify the information independently and consult with relevant authorities for official updates and developments. IndoConnex is not responsible for any decisions or actions taken based on this information.