May 2, 2024
KOTA KINABALU – Volcanic ash from Mount Ruang’s latest eruption on Tuesday could enter Borneo airspace with possible disruptions to flight operations until May 5, says the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).In its aviation weather warning issued on Tuesday night, it said dust from the volcano could potentially endanger flights.
Its director-general, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, said operations in the Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Region might be affected.
Based on the trajectory model from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, volcanic dust is expected to enter the national airspace and have a significant impact throughout the forecast period until May 5, he said in a statement.
“MetMalaysia is monitoring the volcanic dust movement continuously and will update the information and issue aviation weather warnings if necessary,” he added.MetMalaysia also advised the public to stay updated on information it releases through its website, myCuaca app or social media.
Mount Ruang in northern Sulawesi, situated to the east of Sabah, erupted again on Tuesday morning and spewed dust that filled the surrounding airspace up to a height of 20km.
Flights in the region were suspended after Indonesian authorities issued a warning.
The volcanic eruptions have so far caused 214 flights in and out of Sabah and Sarawak to be affected on April 18 and 19.
Volcanic dust is dangerous to aircraft and may damage avionics.