AirNav extends Wunopito Airport closure as Lewotolok ash drifts over Lembata

Labuan Bajo — AirNav Indonesia extended the closure of Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, until an estimated 7 a.m. local time on Sept. 18, 2026, after volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok affected the airport area, according to AirNav notices and local reports.

The latest update replaced an earlier notice that had already kept the airport shut from Sept. 17, with operations initially expected to resume on Sept. 18, according to AirNav’s published notice and reports from Indonesian media.

AirNav said the restriction was tied to ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok, whose eruption on Sept. 8 sent ash about 800 meters above the summit, according to reporting that cited aviation and volcanic monitoring updates. The ash hazard prompted repeated NOTAM updates as conditions changed.

One report said the airport was first closed on Sept. 8 and later reopened plans were pushed back several times as ash dispersion continued. A separate report on Sept. 18 said the closure was extended again through Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. local time, underscoring that the airport’s status was still changing after the Sept. 18 estimate.

AirNav’s corporate secretary Hermana Soegijantoro said the agency continued to monitor ash movement and coordinate with aviation stakeholders before resuming operations, according to reports quoting him. The decision was framed as an aviation safety measure rather than a general transport disruption.

Why volcanic ash can halt flights

Volcanic ash is a serious risk for aircraft because it can damage engines and reduce visibility, which is why aviation authorities issue temporary closures and flight advisories when ash is present near routes or airports. In this case, the notices referred specifically to ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok affecting Wunopito’s operating area.

Travelers headed to or from Lewoleba should check with their airline and current airport notices before leaving for the airport, because the closure had already been revised more than once. The notices reviewed for this report did not provide a confirmed reopening time that would remain valid beyond the latest update.

Known operational details

• Airport: Wunopito Airport, Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara
• Cause: volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok
• Earlier closure start: Sept. 8, 2026
• Extension identified in later notices: Sept. 18, 2026

Wunopito serves Lewoleba on Lembata island, and the repeated notices show how quickly aviation conditions can change when volcanic ash drifts into flight paths. For passengers, the practical issue is that schedules may shift again as authorities reassess safety.

Sources

• AirNav Indonesia
• Warta Ekonomi
• Bernama
• CNBC Indonesia