Flights in Maumere Closed Following Mount Lewotobi Eruption in NTT

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency or BMKG said that the volcanic ash outspread as a consequence of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption in East Flores, NTT, affected aviation safety in the area.

"The aviation services are still closed due to volcanic ash outspread in the atmosphere," said the head of Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Sikka meteorology station Ota Thalo in Maumere as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Wulanggitang District, NTT, erupted on January 1, spreading volcanic ash which increased risk levels. Consequently, flights from and to Maumere in Frans Seda Maumere Airport had to be closed down since January 1, 2024, for safety reasons.

According to Ota, the closing down of flight operation was based on the information obtained from SIGMET, or Significant Meteorological Information which reported that volcanic ash from the eruption reached 9,000 feet high, with movement to the west with 10-knot velocity. 

"We urge to remain alert for flights in the red area based on SIGMET's information on the [volcanic ash] outspread locations," Ota said.

The head of the Class II Airports Management Unit of the Frans Seda Maumere Airport Partahian Panjaitan confirmed that flights from and to Maumere are closed down temporarily for safety.

The volcanic ash, he said, could fatally affect the airplane engines. Hence, all flights in Maumere must be canceled and flight operations must be closed down for the time being. 

"We will immediately re-evaluate the situation if there is a change in data by BMKG," he concluded.

ANTARA

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News