Tangerang, Banten, Sept. 8 -- AirNav Indonesia has temporarily closed Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, after volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok drifted into local airspace, the air navigation operator said Tuesday.

AirNav Corporate Secretary Hermana Soegijantoro said a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) placed Wunopito Airport under closed status starting at 7:01 a.m. local time on Sept. 8. The closure is expected to remain in effect until 6 a.m. on Sept. 9.

"The NOTAM states that the closure was caused by volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok," Soegijantoro said in a statement.

The shutdown follows ongoing activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok, where an eruption at 6:35 a.m. on Tuesday sent an ash column roughly 800 meters a...