Lewotobi eruption triggers complete flight shutdown: Official

Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I Lombok Airport in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) confirmed all local and overseas flight routes, both departures and arrivals at Lombok Airport were impacted by Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruption.

"All flight routes from and to Lombok Airport were affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara. There were no flight activities today," Lombok Airport Public Relations Arif Haryanto stated in Central Lombok on Wednesday.

He explained that inbound and outbound flights on international routes connecting Lombok to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have been canceled or delayed.

Moreover, domestic flights on routes from Lombok to Jakarta, Denpasar Bali, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Sumbawa, and Bima were affected.

"It consisted of two international and six domestic flight routes," Haryanto remarked.

He noted that based on data until Wednesday afternoon, the number of canceled flights reached 30 from all airlines.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that the persistent westward movement of ash emissions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki may force further flight delays and likely cancellations on multiple other routes.

"Delayed and possibly canceled flights depend on the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption," he stated.

Haryanto said passengers whose flights were canceled would receive information and broadcasts via WhatsApp and short messages from the airline regarding flight rescheduling or refunds.

The affected airlines are offering complete refunds to passengers bearing the brunt of the disruption.

"Airline staff are on standby at the airline's customer service office to handle passengers," he added.

Meanwhile, he remarked that airport personnel have been deployed in the waiting room to assist passengers experiencing flight postponements.

"The number of passengers affected was around six thousand based on the number of passengers per day at Lombok Airport, both arriving and departing," he revealed.

Earlier, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) set a danger zone of a seven-kilometer radius from the mountain's peak, allowing only the joint Search and Rescue team to carry out activities.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one of the active volcanoes in East Nusa Tenggara, whose volcanic activity has fluctuated throughout the year, with eruption starting on November 4, 2024.

The BNPB also ensured the fulfillment of the basic needs of 11,533 people displaced by Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruptions, currently lodged in eight refugee shelters.