Group Statement: Labuan Bajo Operations Normal

Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Issued from Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

As of August 16, 2026, Juara Holding Group confirms that all guests and crew across its Labuan Bajo operations are safe and accounted for, and that Komodo Luxury, the group’s flagship Komodo operator, is operating normally. Sailing from Labuan Bajo was officially reopened by the Harbormaster on the same day as the earthquake under Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026, and scheduled trips resumed on the afternoon of August 15.

This statement is issued for guests, partners, and media following Labuan Bajo news after the earthquake that struck the Flores Sea on Saturday morning. Key verified facts:

Earthquake: magnitude 7.7 (initially estimated M7.0 by BMKG, later revised), Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 05:58 Central Indonesia Time, at sea north of Flores near Mbay, approximately 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo, at a shallow depth of around 15 km.
Tsunami: BMKG issued an early warning; no destructive tsunami formed. Minor waves of about 0.36 m were recorded at the Labuan Bajo tide gauge, and the warning was lifted within roughly three hours.
Guests and crew: all safe and accounted for, with full safety protocols carried out at sea and on land.
Port: sailing from Labuan Bajo officially reopened the same day by the Harbormaster (KSOP Labuan Bajo), Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026.
Airport: Komodo Airport’s runway and apron were declared safe and the airport remains in operation.
Komodo National Park: the park was not closed, and trips are running normally as of August 16.

Table of Contents

What happened on August 15, 2026?

At 05:58 WITA on Saturday, August 15, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the sea north of Flores near Mbay, about 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo. BMKG issued a tsunami early warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara and neighboring provinces. No destructive tsunami formed, and the warning was lifted within approximately three hours. Labuan Bajo itself, at the far western tip of Flores, experienced limited moderate damage and the town has continued to function.

Are all guests and crew safe?

Yes. Every guest and crew member across the group’s Labuan Bajo operations is safe and fully accounted for. Our crews were at sea with guests when the earthquake struck: vessels were held in deep water, guests wore life jackets in line with standard operating procedure, and guests on land were moved to higher ground as a precaution. This statement is written from Labuan Bajo by the team that carried out those protocols first-hand.

Is Labuan Bajo operating normally today?

So far, yes. After BMKG declared the tsunami potential over, the Harbormaster of Labuan Bajo reopened sailing on the very same day through Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026 — a decision covered in detail in our operator’s report on how sailing from Labuan Bajo was reopened the same day. The group’s boats returned to the water on the afternoon of August 15, Komodo Airport is operating with its runway and apron declared safe, and Komodo National Park was never closed. Scheduled departures are running normally as of August 16, and we continue to monitor conditions together with BMKG and the harbor authorities. Travelers weighing a visit can consult the operator’s full assessment, Is Labuan Bajo Safe After the Earthquake?, which is updated as the situation develops.

How is the group responding to the situation in Flores and NTT?

The earthquake’s most serious impact was felt far from Labuan Bajo, in central and eastern Flores — including Nagekeo, Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai — where dozens of lives were lost. Our thoughts are with the affected families and communities of East Nusa Tenggara. Juara Holding Group stands with the province that is home to our operations and our people, and the group is supporting recovery efforts alongside its crews, guides, and local partners. We are grateful to BMKG, the Harbormaster’s office, airport authorities, and the emergency services whose same-day work allowed life in Labuan Bajo to continue.

What should guests with existing bookings do?

No action is required. Confirmed trips are proceeding as scheduled, and our teams are contacting every affected guest directly. Guests who prefer to adjust their travel dates are covered by the group’s flexible rebooking guarantee, and any questions can be directed to the Komodo Luxury guest care team.

Frequently asked questions

Is Labuan Bajo open after the August 2026 earthquake?

Yes. So far Labuan Bajo is open and functioning: the port reopened on August 15 under Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026, Komodo Airport is operating, and tours are running normally.

Was there a tsunami in Labuan Bajo?

No destructive tsunami occurred. BMKG issued a precautionary early warning, minor waves of about 0.36 m were recorded at the Labuan Bajo tide gauge, and the warning was lifted within roughly three hours.

Is Komodo National Park open?

Yes. The park was not closed after the earthquake, and boat trips into the park resumed the same afternoon once the Harbormaster reopened sailing.

Are flights to Labuan Bajo operating?

Yes. Komodo Airport’s runway and apron were declared safe. Some flights were briefly adjusted on August 15 while inspections took place, and operations returned to normal that same afternoon.

Media and partnership enquiries may be directed to the Juara Holding Group business desk. Operational updates will be published as the situation develops.

For travellers planning around these conditions, our group’s Labuan Bajo luxury trip desk and the Komodo trip schedules continue to operate normally.