Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The Lombok International Airport authorities said here Friday that the airport would be closed until Saturday for safety reason because the volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Barujari blankets the airport.

"The closure of the aiport will be extended until Saturday at 09.00 am local time," the airport's spokesperson Eka Gede Sandi Asmadi told journalists regarding the impact of eruption of Mount Barujari in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, on flight activities.

Eka said the volcanic ash blanketing the airport and its surrounding areas is harmful for the aviation safety so that the airport is temporarily closed. As a result, 29 domestic and international flights from and to the international airport were cancelled.

"Fifty eight flights have so far been cancelled since Thursday," Eka said.

Meanwhile, the volcanic ash from Mount Barujari's eruption flew to the south where the Lombok International Airport is located, Head of Selaraparang Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency Catur Winarti said.

"That is why the airport is closed, and we cannot precisely predict when the flowing of the volcanic ash will end," Winarti said.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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