Cebu Pacific cancels flights to Naga, Legazpi due to Mayon’s imminent eruption

January 22, 2018 - 6:51 PM
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Low visibility around Mayon Volcano
Visibility is difficult on the roads around Mayon, owing to rainy weather, thick smoke and ashfall. NEWS5

MANILA – Cebu Pacific cancelled Monday afternoon flights to Naga and Legazpi cities in Bicol region, as government scientists declared the imminent eruption of Mayon Volcano.

In an advisory on Monday afternoon, the low-cost carrier said, the “Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights bound for Legazpi City and Naga City this afternoon are cancelled as Mayon Volcano spewed volcanic ash earlier today.”

Flight Route
DG 6204 Cebu-Legazpi
DG 6205 Legazpi-Cebu
5J 327 Manila-Legazpi
5J 328 Legazpi-Manila
DG 6117 Manila-Naga
DG 6118 Naga-Manila

Operations at the Legazpi City International Airport were suspended following the Notice to Airmen issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Passengers flying to and from Naga and Legazpi Tuesday (Jan. 23) were strongly advised to await further announcements regarding their flight schedules.

Earlier on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level for Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 4, meaning “hazardous eruption (is) imminent,” according to the PHIVOLCS website. The announcement was made by Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum, Jr.

Officials also extended the danger zone to eight kilometers, from the previous six kilometers for most of the volcano’s surroundings and seven kilometers for the south side of the volcano.

This is because if Mayon has a “vertical eruption,” the pyroclastic flow may spew in all directions.

According to Solidum, they monitored “summit explosions” earlier on Monday, as well as heightened seismic activity from the volcano.

He advised the public not to enter the eight-kilometer danger zone, and airplanes not to fly near the summit and in areas where the wind might blow volcanic debris.