Inp.polri.go.id - Labuan Bajo. Flights at Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, were suspended on Friday *26/9/2025) after volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores disrupted aviation safety. 

Six flights, consisting three arrivals and three departures, were canceled.

“Today, 26 September 2025, flight operations at Frans Seda Airport are temporarily closed until 27 September 2025 at 6 am. local time,” Frans Seda Airport Head Partahian Pandjaitan said, as reported by antaranews.com..

The airport conducted paper tests for ashfall, which returned negative, but final approach paths were reported contaminated. Meanwhile, the Mount Lewotobi Volcano Observatory recorded three eruptions between 6 am. and noon, spewing gray ash columns up to 1,000 meters high.

The volcano remains at the highest alert level (IV). Authorities urged residents to avoid activities within a six-kilometer radius and up to seven kilometers in certain sectors, while also warning of possible rain-triggered lahars. Locals were advised to wear masks to reduce health risks from ash exposure.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)