Komodo International Airport — Local services in Flores

Komodo International Airport (LBJ) ,The Gateway to Paradise

Komodo International Airport (LBJ) is a remarkably pleasant and efficient small airport that serves as a beautiful gateway to the wonders of Komodo National Park and Flores Island. Given its remote location, the modern and thoughtful design of the terminal is a genuinely delightful surprise for most travelers.

Modern and Clean Terminal:The airport features a relatively new, modern, and impeccably clean terminal. The architecture often incorporates local East Nusa Tenggara cultural elements, providing a warm and welcoming sense of place immediately upon arrival.

Efficiency and Ease of Navigation: As a smaller hub, it is refreshingly simple to navigate. Check-in and security procedures are generally quick, making for a stress-free start or end to your trip. Travelers frequently praise the smooth, uncomplicated flow through the airport.

Friendly Staff: Reviewers consistently mention the excellent, friendly service from the airport staff, from security personnel to those working at the small shops and cafes.

Gateway Location: The airport's greatest asset is its proximity to Labuan Bajo town (just a short drive) and, by extension, the world-class attractions of Komodo, Padar Island, and the famed Pink Beach. It truly feels like the first step of an incredible adventure.

Improved Connectivity: Recent expansions to the runway and facilities have made it accessible to larger jet aircraft (like the Boeing 737/Airbus A320 series) and have opened up more direct routes from major hubs like Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), and even limited international flights, greatly enhancing convenience. In summary, LBJ offers a surprisingly polished and welcoming experience, setting the perfect tone for a trip to one of Indonesia's most unique natural...

Most disorganised, chaotic airport I’ve been to (and I’ve been to a lot).

There are no information boards which say what gate to go to. Then our flight was boarding from the same gate at the same time as another flight. That flight eventually showed on a screen above the gate, but never ours. Inevitably this causes a ton of confusion, and then the staff at the gate are aggravated because people aren’t forming two orderly queues either side, despite there being nothing indicating thats what to do. Literally could be solved with a two A4 pieces of paper, a pen and some blue tac.

You finally get to the front of the queue and are told you need to return to check in because there are electronics in your checked in luggage. Technically true, we had a spare phone in it - but this has never been an issue anywhere else in the world. The go pro wasn’t an issue though, nor electric toothbrushes, so how one is supposed to understand the arbitrary rules is beyond me. Normally it’s just battery packs and e.g. laptops. We met several others who had been sent back for various items. The staff at the gate said they’d been calling names over the intercom, but if they were they did so in a way that we couldn’t even pick out our own name. Again, could be solved with information boards. Or by actually explaining what they deem to be electronics at check in. We flew to Flores from Jakarta with the phone in checked luggage.

Then finally you’re sat on the plane and there’s more faff because people have boarded the wrong plane. Surprise surprise.

This is a solved problem. Airports in the rest of Indonesia (and world) don’t have...

Simple and easy airport, not sure if it's the day I chose to travel was not busy, or if it's just not busy in general. Arrival was very straightforward as I got in from a domestic flight, and there were only 2 belts to pick up the baggage. Some shops around for phone sim, exchange $, tour and rides all available.

I took a ride from one of those random people offering 70k to do the 10 - 15-minute ride distance. I don't know the price in general, but grab with a bike was 19k, and no car was available, so it wouldn't work out for me as I had a luggage. It may be a fair price, or it may be overpriced. Either way, it was reasonable for me.

Departure was a bliss as well, no clear signs of counters for check-in, but I saw the lion group sign, so I went for it as my flight was with Batik. I came about 2 hrs before my flight, and the airport was emptied than expected. I just kept walking till the end of the path and arrived at the gate 1-2, which seems to be the domestic flights. I see an immigration gate, but there are no staff stations there, so I guess it's not often to have flights going international from here .

The problem is that there is only a verbal announcement for boarding. The monitor and signs are not available. The announcement wasn't clear, so many passengers are confused if it's their boarding process for the flight. Security was also an issue, I witnessed someone purposely going through gate 1 to board a flight at gate 2, bypassing the boarding pass check... no one stopped him till he...