Ile Lewotolok Eruption Cancels Six Flights in Flores and Lembata
Mount Ile Lewotolok disrupted air travel in East Nusa Tenggara on Sept. 24, canceling six flights. Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba was closed because of volcanic ash.
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 2 min read
Flores and Lembata — An eruption of Mount Ile Lewotolok disrupted air travel in East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday, with six flights canceled and Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba temporarily closed.
The disruption occurred on Sept. 24, 2026, after volcanic ash affected operations at Wunopito Airport and Gewayantana Airport in Larantuka, Flores Timur. The canceled services included flights on the Kupang–Lewoleba route and return services.
The airport closures affect access to Lembata and Flores
For visitors and foreign residents traveling through the region, the closures mean that scheduled air services to and from Lewoleba and Larantuka may not operate while volcanic ash affects nearby airspace. Wunopito Airport was closed from 07.50 WITA (UTC+8) on Sept. 24 until 07.00 WITA on Sept. 25 under an aviation notice citing volcanic ash from Lewotolok.
Mount Ile Lewotolok had erupted 89 times during the preceding 24 hours. Authorities advised people to remain outside designated hazard zones. The affected locations were Lembata and Flores Timur in East Nusa Tenggara.
AirNav Indonesia, the state aviation-navigation service, issued the closure notice for Wunopito Airport. The notice described the airport as closed because of volcanic ash. The closure period was extended through the morning of Sept. 25.
The resumption time for all canceled flights was not stated.
Sources
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