TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Flores Timur, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has been temporarily closed due to the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. The closure is effective until Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 6 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA).
Partahian Panjaitan, Head of the Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport Operator Unit, confirmed that the decision to close the airport was made in accordance with Notice to Airmen (Notam) Aerodrome Closed Number C0894, which became effective at 9 a.m. WITA today. "The flight path or airport approach area is affected by volcanic ash," he said in a written statement on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Although the volcanic ash spread prediction map from the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre currently indicates no active eruption, strong winds at the peak of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki have caused the ash to spread and cover the flight paths at Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport.
Consequently, Partahian reported that 501 passengers across several flight routes have been forced to reschedule their departures until conditions normalize. The affected routes include Wings Air services between Maumere and Kupang, Wings Air between Labuan Bajo and Maumere, and NAM Air between Maumere and Kupang.
Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Air Transportation at the Transportation Ministry, urged all airline operators and airport authorities to provide timely information and ensure that prospective passengers' rights are handled in accordance with existing regulations. "There are options for rescheduling, rerouting, and even providing full refunds for passengers who are unable to continue their journey," Lukman explained.
He emphasized the critical importance of airlines complying with regulations regarding refund policies or flight rescheduling. "This is to maintain public trust and provide maximum protection to air transportation service users," Lukman added.
Lukman further elaborated that continuous coordination and operational adjustments for Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport will be made based on the latest data. He stressed that flight safety and passenger comfort remain the top priorities in every decision regarding airport operations, whether for closure or reopening.
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