Flores Airports, All Entry and Exit Points
What Is the Flores Overland Route?
Flores has six airports strung along the island from west to east. Only three currently have reliable scheduled service; the others are limited or closed. For most travel plans, the choice is straightforward: enter at Labuan Bajo (west) or Maumere (east), depending on your direction.
The airports, west to east
Labuan Bajo, Komodo Airport (LBJ)
The main international-standard airport on Flores, upgraded in 2023 with a new terminal. Receives daily flights from Bali (Denpasar), Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta), Surabaya, and Lombok. The airport is 3 km northeast of town; taxis and airport transfer vehicles (IDR 100,000–150,000) cover the gap.
Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Wings Air, Batik Air, TransNusa.
Best for: All Komodo National Park visits, liveaboard departures, and any itinerary starting in West Flores.
Ruteng, Frans Sales Lega Airport (RTG)
Currently closed to scheduled service. The airport is intact but no commercial flights operate as of 2026. Check current status before planning, it has opened and closed multiple times. Ruteng is best reached overland from Labuan Bajo (3 hours) or Bajawa (3.5 hours).
Bajawa, Soa Airport (BJW)
A small airport 20 km north of Bajawa, served sporadically by Wings Air (a Lion Air subsidiary). Schedules are unreliable and often change without notice. Treat Bajawa as a road-only destination for reliable travel planning. The airport is named after the Soa district; confirming any booking here is essential 24–48 hours before departure.
Ende, H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (ENE)
The main airport for central Flores. Ende receives flights from Bali (via Denpasar, sometimes direct, sometimes via Kupang), Kupang in West Timor, and occasionally Maumere. Flight frequency is lower than LBJ or MOF, typically 3–6 times weekly. Ende airport is 5 km from town.
Airlines: Wings Air, TransNusa.
Best for: Travelers splitting the overland at the midpoint, or visiting Kelimutu without doing the full west-to-east route (fly into Ende, transfer to Moni, then exit via Maumere or Ende).
Maumere, Frans Xavier Seda Airport (MOF)
The main airport for eastern Flores and the second-busiest on the island. Daily or near-daily connections to Bali via Denpasar; also connects to Kupang (West Timor), Makassar, and sometimes direct to Lombok. 3 km from town.
Airlines: Lion Air, Wings Air, Garuda, TransNusa.
Best for: Finishing an overland trip from the west, or beginning a reverse route toward Labuan Bajo.
Larantuka, Gewayentana Airport (LKA)
A small airport at the far eastern tip of Flores with limited service, mostly to Kupang (West Timor) and occasionally Maumere. Useful for connections onward to Lembata or Timor, not for arriving from Bali. Schedules are thin, check Garuda and Wings Air.
The overland airport strategy
The most practical plan for a Flores overland trip:
| Itinerary direction | Fly in | Fly out | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| West → East | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | Maumere (MOF) | Natural direction; Komodo first |
| East → West | Maumere (MOF) | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | Reverse; end at Komodo |
| Central loop | Ende (ENE) | Maumere (MOF) | Skip west, focus on highlands |
| Komodo only | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | No overland needed |
Avoid: Flying in and out of the same airport on both ends of an overland trip, this forces a long backtrack and removes the logic of the point-to-point drive.
How Do You Book Flights to Flores?
- Book LBJ flights early: July–August peak season fills up 2–3 months in advance. Prices from Bali in peak can reach USD 80–120 one-way. See when to book flights to Flores for timing guidance.
- Check TransNusa: The regional carrier flies routes that Garuda and Lion Air skip, sometimes at lower prices, though with smaller aircraft.
- Tiket.com or Traveloka: More reliable for Indonesian domestic bookings than international OTAs, which sometimes don’t show all routes.
- Baggage: Most domestic routes allow 20 kg checked; budget on Wings Air and TransNusa can be as low as 10 kg. Confirm before booking if you’re carrying dive gear.
Frequently asked questions
Which airports on Flores have flights from Bali?
Three airports on Flores receive regular flights from Bali (Ngurah Rai, DPS): Labuan Bajo (LBJ) receives the most routes and the most frequency; Maumere (MOF) has daily or near-daily connections via Denpasar; Ende (ENE) has less frequent service, sometimes with a stop. Always check Lion Air, Wings Air, Garuda, and TransNusa for current schedules, routes change seasonally.
Which airport should I fly into for Komodo National Park?
Labuan Bajo (LBJ / Komodo Airport) is the only sensible choice. It is 20 minutes from the town jetty, where all liveaboard and day-trip boats to Komodo depart. No other airport is useful for visiting the national park.
What is the best airport strategy for an overland trip across Flores?
Fly into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and out of Maumere (MOF), or vice versa. This avoids backtracking the entire island. The west-to-east direction is slightly more common as it takes you through increasing remoteness, most travelers prefer ending somewhere quieter (Maumere) rather than returning to the busier gateway town.
Is Ruteng airport open?
No. Ruteng Airport (RTG) was closed to scheduled commercial traffic in 2024. It may reopen, but as of mid-2026 no scheduled services operate. Bajawa Airport (BJW) has very limited service, Wings Air operates sporadically but schedule reliability is poor. Do not rely on either for firm travel plans.
Are there flights between towns on Flores?
No. Domestic inter-Flores flights do not operate. If you need to move between towns quickly, say, Maumere back to Labuan Bajo, the only option is to fly via Bali (adding cost and a layover) or to charter a vehicle for the full overland drive.