AirAsia Philippines has canceled flights to and from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia on April 18th and 19th due to the eruption of Mount Ruang in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island. The volcano has spewed volcanic ash into the air, affecting visibility and airspace in the region.
“We are closely coordinating with relevant authorities as the situation is ongoing. While the cancellations may cause inconvenience on the travel plans of our guests, AirAsia will never compromise the safe conduct of the flight. Notifications were immediately shared with our guests via SMS and registered email.”
Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines’ Communications and Public Affairs Head
The affected flights are Z2 503 from Manila to Kota Kinabalu on April 18th and Z2 504 from Kota Kinabalu to Manila on April 19th.
Passengers impacted by the cancellations can either change their flight to a new travel date within 30 days on the same route at no additional cost, subject to seat availability, or receive a credit account valid for future travel with AirAsia for up to two years.
AirAsia is advising customers to check their registered email, mobile phone, the AirAsia newsroom, or airasia.com/flightstatus for the latest flight schedule updates.
Flights Disrupted in Indonesia
Mount Ruang, a stratovolcano located in North Sulawesi province in Indonesia, erupted since the past two days, prompting authorities to close nearby airports and issue a tsunami alert.
The eruption has also impacted air travel in Indonesia, with Manado’s Sam Ratulangi International Airport being closed due to the volcanic ash cloud.
Moreover, flights to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport in neighboring Malaysia have also been disrupted.
In response to the eruption, Malaysia Airlines announced the cancellation of several flights to and from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah and Sarawak on April 18, 2024, citing safety concerns over volcanic ash.
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