Komodo Airport Temporarily Closes Until Tomorrow Affected By Lewotobi Eruption Abu

A number of passengers while in the waiting room of Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Monday (7/7/2025). (ANTARA/Gecio Viana)

LABUAN BAJO - Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was temporarily closed after the results of the test on Monday (7/7) showed positive results exposed to the volcanic ash distribution of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

"The results of the paper test are positive," said Head of the Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport Organizing Unit (UPBU) Ceppy Triono when contacted in Labuan Bajo, Monday, July 7.

The official notification (NOTAM) for closing airports with international airport status has been issued.

Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport is temporarily closed on July 7-8, 2025.

"Komodo Airport status closed and has been issued by NOTAM Close Airport at 18.00 WITA until tomorrow morning at 07.00 WITA," he said.

He also explained that the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki resulted in a number of flight routes being canceled by airlines.

"For today, there are seven arrival flights and eight departures that were affected by both postpone and cancel, so a total of 15 flights," he explained.

Airport authorities will periodically conduct a test paper to ensure Komodo Airport and flights to and from Labuan Bajo are free from the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki.

"To reopen the airport, there must be another paper test again," he said.

Separately, Komodo Meteorological Station Head Maria Seran said on Monday night the spread of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male has reached the West Manggarai airspace and has even gone down to the ground.

"We urge the public to remain calm, not to panic, but be vigilant, and wear masks in the event of ash rain and limited visibility. Monitor official BMKG information and airport authorities," he said.

Previously, it was reported that Mount Lewotobi Male-Laki in Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara erupted again on Monday at 11.05 WITA with a height of 18,000 meters from the top of the mountain.

The visualization of the ash column is observed to be gray to black with thick intensity leaning towards the North, Northeast and Northwest.

The eruption, he said, was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 47.3 millimeters and a temporary duration of approximately six minutes 26 seconds.