Indonesia’s transport ministry kept Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo operating after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores on 15 August, even as inspections found minor damage to a taxiway and several airport buildings. Runway and apron areas remained usable, allowing limited flights to continue while safety checks were completed at the main gateway to the Komodo tourism area.
The quake’s epicentre was offshore near Flores, triggering wider disruption across East Nusa Tenggara, including deaths, injuries, evacuations and a temporary tsunami warning. Damage at the airport affected the fire station, terminal landside area and an administrative building, while one taxiway section was temporarily restricted pending further technical assessment. The airport’s continued operation helped preserve a critical transport link for passengers and tourists in Labuan Bajo, where air services are essential for regional connectivity and emergency logistics.
Aircraft movements were not fully suspended, but operations ran under constraints as airport management and national agencies carried out post-quake checks. The full extent of schedule disruption and the repair timetable for the damaged facilities were not immediately specified.