Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) – AirNav Indonesia has temporarily closed Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, after volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok drifted into local airspace, the air navigation operator said Tuesday.
AirNav Corporate Secretary Hermana Soegijantoro said a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) placed Wunopito Airport under closed status starting at 7:01 a.m. local time on Sept. 8. The closure is expected to remain in effect until 6 a.m. on Sept. 9.
“The NOTAM states that the closure was caused by volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok,” Soegijantoro said in a statement.
The shutdown follows ongoing activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok, where an eruption at 6:35 a.m. on Tuesday sent an ash column roughly 800 meters above the peak toward the west.
“Volcanic ash is a concern for flight operations because it can affect aviation safety when present along flight routes,” Soegijantoro said, adding that AirNav is continuously tracking ash dispersion to update aeronautical safety notices.
AirNav said it is coordinating with aviation stakeholders to ensure safety remains the top priority before operations resume.
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Translator: Azmi SM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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