Indonesia’s Labuan ‘Dragon airport’: confusing signals for Changi

Investors in airports have long been confused by government policies in Indonesia where they have, in theory, been welcomed, even coveted, but where the state airport operators continue to acquire those airports around the country that might attract those investors.

At last a consortium, involving an Indonesian company with experience in the air transport business and a Singaporean one of international repute, has acquired a concession on an airport which supports tourist visits to see the 'Komodo dragons' - huge lizards that were only discovered in the 20th century.

But the transaction came just as the government was about to close off the Komodo island and then to bring in a hefty tourist charge to visit it - not what the joint venture wanted to hear.