Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The eruption of Mount Lewotobi in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, has temporarily halted flights in the region, prompting the Ministry of Transportation to establish alternative travel routes. Authorities have mobilized ferries and other sea transport options to facilitate the movement of people and goods until air travel resumes.
“While several airports are temporarily closed, sea transportation offers an alternative solution, with safety as the top priority,” explained Budi Rahardjo, Head of the Ministry’s Public Communication Bureau, in an official statement on Monday, November 11.
Rerouted ferries include the KM Egon, typically running the Waingapu-Lembar route, which is now adjusted to operate from Labuan Bajo to Lembar. This vessel is expected to arrive at Lembar Harbor carrying 100 tourists from Labuan Bajo on Monday evening, local time.
Additional vessels, including a roll-on/roll-off ferry from Dharma Lautan, have been authorized to increase passenger capacity for evacuations. These ferries are shuttling passengers from Labuan Bajo to nearby unaffected airports, such as those in Bima and Lembar, for onward travel.
To further support these operations, a coastal patrol vessel, the KNP Chundamani, departed from Surabaya early Monday morning for Labuan Bajo, anticipating a 30-hour journey.
A dedicated Marine Transportation Coordination Post has been set up at the Port Authority office in Labuan Bajo to support evacuations, with continuous radio broadcasts every four hours warning vessels in affected zones. The Indonesian Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency has reported volcanic ash clouds reaching over 1,500 meters above the volcano’s peak, drifting northward with a significant impact on visibility and air quality.
Five Indonesian Mount Erupt, Authorities Urge Caution Amid Increased Volcanic Activity
AirNav Indonesia has issued updated information about affected airports. Gewayantana Larantuka, Wunopito Lewoleba, Tambolaka, and Waingapu airports remain operational, while Komodo International, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda, H. Hasan Ende, Soa, and Frans Sales Lega airports are closed.
To alleviate the disruption, discussions are underway to increase flight frequencies at nearby unaffected airports. Additionally, the Ministry of Transportation may extend the rerouted sea transport schedule if conditions prevent a swift reopening of Labuan Bajo’s airspace.
(Becky)
