Frans Seda Maumere Airport Closed Due to Lewotobi Eruption, 4 Flights Cancelled

Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), was forced to close on Thursday (23/4/2026). The closure was due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores.

“Thursday, 23 April 2026, Frans Seda Airport is closed due to the impact of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption until 24 April 2026 at 06:00 WITA in accordance with NOTAM Number C0487/26 NOTAMN,” said the Head of Frans Seda Maumere Airport, Parthaian Panjaitan, when contacted by detikBali.

A total of four flights were cancelled as a result of the closure, affecting 122 prospective passengers who failed to depart. The affected flights were on the Maumere-Kupang, Kupang-Maumere, Maumere-Makassar, and Makassar-Maumere routes.

“The affected flights are IW1941 (MOF-UPG), IW1940 (UPG-MOF), IW1829 (KOE-MOF), and IW1828 (MOF-KOE) on 24 April 2026,” Parthaian explained.

Meanwhile, Gewayantana Larantuka Airport also cancelled flights despite continuing to operate normally.

“For Gewayantana Larantuka Airport, operations are normal so far. However, today the airline cancelled flights due to operational reasons, not due to the eruption impact,” explained the Head of Gewayantana Larantuka Airport, Puguh Lukito.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted again this morning at 07:21 WITA. During the eruption, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spewed an ash column 1.8 km high.

Officials from the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Observation Post, Emanuel Rofinus Bere, said the eruption caused an ash ejection approximately 1,800 metres above the summit or about 3,384 metres above sea level.

“The ash column was observed to be grey in colour with thick intensity leaning towards the southwest. This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22.2 mm and a duration of approximately 1 minute 43 seconds,” Emanuel added.

Emanuel advised the public around Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki and visitors/tourists not to carry out any activities within a 4 km radius of the centre of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption.

“The public around Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki should be aware of the potential for rain-induced lahar floods in rivers originating from the summit of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki if heavy intensity rain occurs, especially in the areas of Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote,” Emanuel explained.