4 Airports Not Operating Due To Mount Lewotobi Eruption

Erupsi Gunung Lewotobi Laki-laki di Kecamatan Wulanggitang, Senin (4/11/2024). (ANTARA/HO-PVBMG).

The Perum Institute for Indonesian Aviation Navigation Services or AirNav Indonesia Kupang Branch reported that four airports on the island of Flores NTT were temporarily operational due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki which resulted in 10 deaths.

"There are four airports that are closed with the eruption of Mount Lewotobi," said General Manager Airnav Kupang Branch I Nyoman Oka Wiraman when contacted in Kupang, Antara, Monday, November 4.

This was conveyed in connection with the impact of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki that occurred last Sunday night, where the eruption material caused damage to a number of residents' houses and school buildings and dormitories.

The four airports that were temporarily closed were H Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende Regency, Soa Bajawa, Gewayantana Larantuka and Frans Seda Maumere Airport, Sikka Regency.

According to him, Frans Seda Maumere Airport has been out of operation for approximately two months as a result of the volcanic eruption. Then three other airports were decided not to operate temporarily after a letter from the airline, Wings Air, canceled a number of flights to the three locations.

He said the airline was worried that volcanic ash would have an impact on flight safety. Meanwhile, the Head of Ende Patah Atabri Airport was contacted from Kupang saying that basically Ende Airport did not close, but the airline canceled flights to Ende due to the eruption.

He said the airline reported the eruption that occurred at 4.30 WITA this morning causing volcanic ash to fly until the ash closed the pilot's visibility.

"Flights that have been canceled from today until the next few days until normal weather returns," he said.