The ash cloud from the eruption of the Shiveluch volcano, located in Kamchatka in Russia’s far east, has caused complications for air operations and flight cancellations in Alaska and western Canada.
The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) had issued a code red warning for aviation activity due to the altitude of the ash cloud and its trajectory.
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Volcano eruption in Russia complicates operations
The Shiveluch volcano, one of the most active ones in the region, erupted on Monday, spewing a column of ash about ten kilometres high into the atmosphere and spreading over an area of 108.000 square kilometres. Since then, the ash cloud moved in a northwesterly direction and entered North America.
By midday yesterday, Alaska Airlines had already pre-emptively suspended 28 operations to and from the northernmost U.S. state. “We continue to monitor the ash cloud, and depending on its location, movement and timing, we might need to cancel additional flights”, the company said in a press release. Ravn Alaska flights were also affected.
BREAKING: An ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Russia is impacting flights in the state of Alaska. As a safety precaution, @AlaskaAir has canceled some flights to and from Alaska and within the state. Guests can check the status of their flight at https://t.co/paAYVccsjy.
— Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) April 13, 2023
The situation also led to flight cancellations to and from Prince Rupert and Terrace, in northwestern British Columbia, Canada.
Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, said further cancellations and rescheduling could occur depending on conditions. Low-cost carrier WestJet also had to suspend some of its operations in the region.
