Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Several flights departing from Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport (SMS) in Bima to Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport (Bizam) in Lombok were canceled on Wednesday morning, November 13, 2024, due to volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi eruption in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The ash plume drifted westward, impacting air travel in the region.
Earlier this week, on Monday (November 11), several tourists in Labuan Bajo faced flight disruptions following the closure of Komodo International Airport. Many opted for sea routes to Bima, where they could catch flights from Bima Airport.
Meteorologist Jumratul Aida from the Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Meteorological Station reported that Bima Airport remained operational as of Tuesday, November 12, 2024, despite several flight cancellations.
“Flights were canceled this Tuesday afternoon due to predictions that volcanic ash could reach the Bima area. The latest update indicates that while flights have been canceled, the airport remains open,” Jumratul stated Tuesday, as reported by Detik.
Airline Cancellations Out of Bima
Sigit Budiarto, Head of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport in Bima, explained that flight cancellations on Tuesday were decisions made by airlines based on safety concerns due to volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
Sigit said that the impact of Mount Lewotobi eruption on Tuesday was also a consideration for the flight schedule on Wednesday, November 13.
“The airport itself faces no issues. The challenge lies with the airlines, who must assess the safety risks. Even thin layers of volcanic ash pose a significant risk to flights, prompting airlines to exercise caution,” Sigit said on Tuesday, according to a report by Berita11.
Passengers booked on Wings Air (a subsidiary of Lion Air Group) for Wednesday morning’s flights from Bima to Lombok received notifications about cancellations. Lion Air also advised passengers to either request refunds or reschedule their flights.
“Dear WINGS AIR passengers, OPERATIONS CANCELED due to LEWOTOBI MOUNTAIN ERUPTION. Please proceed with REFUND or RE-SCHEDULE,” read a portion of the message sent to passengers.
Lombok Airport Shuts Down All Flights
In addition to Bima Airport, volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi eruption led to the suspension and delays of flights at Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport in Lombok.
According to Antara, PT Angkasa Pura I, which manages Lombok Airport, stated that all domestic and international flights scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2024, were affected.
“All routes to and from Lombok Airport are impacted by the Lewotobi eruption. No flight operations are taking place today (Wednesday),” said Lombok Airport spokesperson Arif Haryanto, Wednesday, November 13.
The disrupted routes include international flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as domestic flights to major cities such as Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Sumbawa, and Bima.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruptions Continue, New Lava Flows Observed
As of midday, data shows that 30 flights have been canceled across various airlines, with other routes experiencing delays and potential cancellations, as volcanic ash continues to drift westward. Delayed passengers were accommodated in waiting areas, where airline staff provided updates.
“Approximately 6,000 passengers were affected today based on previous daily passenger numbers at Lombok Airport,” Arif noted.
Affected passengers were informed of flight changes and cancellation policies via WhatsApp and SMS, with options to reschedule for the following day or receive full refunds.
Impact of Mount Lewotobi’s Eruption
Mount Lewotobi, located in East Flores, NTT, continued its eruption on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. According to the Sultan Hasanuddin Meteorological Station in Makassar, volcanic ash was observed between 12:35 PM and 6:28 PM WITA on November 12, reaching altitudes of up to 18,000 feet and moving westward at a speed of 25 knots with increasing intensity.
Accirdung to SuaraNTB, the volcanic ash indicated potential impacts on several airports across East Nusa Tenggara, including:
- Labuan Bajo, Komodo Airport (WATO)
- Bima, Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport (WADB)
- Maumere, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport (WATC)
- Bajawa, Soa Airport (WATB)
- Ruteng, Frans Sales Lega Airport (WATG)
- Ende, Haji Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (WATE)
- Larantuka, Gewayantana Airport (WATL)
- Waingapu, Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport (WATU)
Airlines and airports continue to monitor the situation, prioritizing passenger safety while managing the disruptions caused by volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi’s ongoing activity.
(Raidi/Agung)
