Jakarta. Indonesia has temporarily closed Fransiskus Xaverius Seda (Frans Seda) Airport in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, after volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi’s latest eruption posed risks to flight safety, the country’s transport authority said Monday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the shutdown took effect under Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) C1171/25, starting at 5:57 a.m. local time on Aug. 18 and expected to last until 5:00 a.m. on Aug. 19.

“Safety and security of air navigation remain our top priority. We are coordinating closely with airport authorities, AirNav Indonesia, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth aviation operations,” said Air Transport Director General Lukman F. Laisa in a statement.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in Darwin, Australia, along with Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), reported ash clouds reaching altitudes of up to 18,000 feet. The ash was observed drifting westward at around 10 knots as of 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Authorities said the advisory would remain in effect from Aug. 18 at 3:30 p.m. until Aug. 19 at 3:30 p.m., covering areas within the designated coordinates provided by the VAAC.

Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is home to more than 120 active volcanoes. Eruptions frequently disrupt air travel in the region, with ash clouds posing a serious hazard to aircraft engines and visibility.

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