Soon, travelers will be able to fly from Singapore to the entrance of Komodo National Park.

Jetstar Asia will commence direct flights from Singapore to Labuan Bajo, the Indonesian town known as the "gateway" to Komodo National Park, according to the company's statement.

The UNESCO Heritage Site inscribed in 1991, which is located in the park, is home to several thousand Komodo dragons, the largest species of lizard in the world, as per UNESCO.

These lizards, found only in Komodo National Park, have a mystique surrounding them due to their rare attacks on humans.

The park, located on several islands in Indonesia, can be reached from Labuan Bajo by boat.

Twice-weekly flights to Labuan Bajo will commence on March 20, with Jetstar Asia being the sole airline operating this route.

For the first time, Changi Airport is directly linked to this captivating destination, as announced by Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group's executive vice president for air hub and cargo development, in a press release about new flights.

One of 'Five New Balis'

In 2016, Labuan Bajo was recognized as one of the 10 New Balis, an initiative by the government to promote alternative destinations in Indonesia beyond Bali, which is popular among divers.

The program was reduced to five destinations after the Covid-19 pandemic: Borobudur, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Likupang, and Labuan Bajo.

Since its inception, Labuan Bajo has been difficult to reach, prompting many international tourists to visit the area via cruise ship. However, in 2024, AirAsia launched international flights to Komodo International Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, making it easier for travelers to reach the town.

Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, was described as a "hidden gem" and an "incredible holiday hotspot" by Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone.

Some conservation groups argue that the rise in tourism poses a threat to the habitat of Komodo dragons, which has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2019.

Local media reports that officials at Komodo National Park are considering implementing short-term closures of the park, even for just one day, to reduce the negative effects of tourism and encourage visitors to engage in other activities outside the park.