Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, located on the western tip of Flores Island, has officially reopened following a temporary closure due to volcanic ash from the recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The reopening was confirmed under Notam A3570/24 NOTAMC A3561/24 after several days of operational suspension.
The first flight to land was a Citilink plane from Jakarta, touching down safely at around 6:40 p.m. local time on Monday, November 11. The decision to reopen the airport came after a collaborative decision-making (CDM) meeting involving airport authorities and related stakeholders, which concluded with a planned resumption at 3 p.m. local time.
“Komodo International Airport has resumed operations,” stated Komodo Airport’s official social media account.
Upon reopening, passengers preparing for flights to Jakarta were observed at the check-in counters, marking a return to normal airport operations.
Clear Skies in Manggarai Barat
According to Maria Patricia Christian Seran, head of the Komodo Meteorological Station, volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi was no longer detected in the skies above West Manggarai as of Monday evening.
“Earlier in the day, volcanic ash was still visible above West Manggarai, but by late afternoon, skies had begun to clear. Currently, no volcanic ash is detected in this airspace,” said Maria.
However, residents are advised to continue wearing masks, as the air remains hazy and potentially unhealthy. Volcanic ash particles can linger in the air for extended periods due to their fine, dry texture.
“Airborne haze typically arises from fine particles, including dust, ash, or smoke,” she added.
All Airports in East Nusa Tenggara Closed Amid Mount Lewotobi Eruption
Timeline of the Airport Closure
Komodo Airport initially closed on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in response to volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi’s eruption. The initial closure was expected to last until 12:10 p.m. but was later extended to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Operations were then suspended for the entire day on Sunday, November 10, before the airport reopened on Monday at 3 p.m.
The careful coordination and monitoring by local authorities were key to ensuring a safe reopening, with ongoing assessments of air quality and ash dispersal to prioritize public safety and flight security.
(Becky)
