Several airlines suspended flights to and from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Wednesday as volcanic ash from Kanlaon Volcano disrupted operations and reduced visibility in parts of the Visayas.
Airport authorities said multiple departures and arrivals were canceled throughout the day, with additional flights added to the cancellation list as conditions continued to be monitored.
The first wave of cancellations included Philippine Airlines flights PR 2279 (Cebu-Bacolod), PR 2313 (Cebu-Cagayan de Oro), PR 2664 (Cebu-Busuanga), PR 2850 (Cebu-Manila), PR 2351 (Cebu-Siargao), and PR 2682 (Cebu-Busuanga).
The arrival of PR 2360 (Caticlan-Cebu) was also canceled, along with Cebgo flight DG 6855 (Cebu-Siargao).
As of 3 p.m., additional cancellations included Cebgo flights DG 6853 (Cebu-Siargao), DG 6793 (Cebu-Ozamiz), and DG 6210 (Cebu-Daraga). Cebu Pacific also canceled flights 5J 4308 (Cebu-Clark), 5J 4300 (Cebu-Clark), and 5J 4525 (Cebu-Cagayan de Oro).
Another advisory issued at 3:50 p.m. announced further cancellations involving Philippine Airlines flights PR 2347 (Cebu-Puerto Princesa), PR 2680 (Cebu-Busuanga), PR 2382 (Cebu-Siargao), PR 2238 (Cebu-Tacloban), PR 2854 (Cebu-Manila), and PR 2868 (Cebu-Manila). Incoming flights PR 2853 (Manila-Cebu), PR 2867 (Manila-Cebu), and PR 2364 (Davao-Cebu) were likewise canceled.
MCIA advised passengers to coordinate directly with their airlines as flight schedules may continue to change depending on volcanic activity and weather conditions.
The airport also urged travelers to monitor official flight advisories before proceeding to the airport.
The flight disruptions came as ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano prompted class suspensions in several local government units across Cebu and neighboring provinces.
Authorities continued to advise the public to wear face masks and minimize exposure to volcanic ash, particularly children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Photo courtesy of MCIA
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