CAAP imposes flight bans near Mayon Volcano, 3 active volcanoes

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday issued expanded flight safety advisories that warned flight operators not to fly close to four active volcanoes across the country amid recent unrest. 

The CAAP released the following updated Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs):

• Mayon Volcano: Effective from January 6 at 8:16 a.m. until January 7 at 9:00 a.m., with vertical limits from the surface up to 11,000 feet.
• Kanlaon Volcano: Effective from January 6 at 9:39 a.m. to January 7 at 5:55 a.m., with vertical limits from the surface up to 13,000 feet.
• Bulusan Volcano: Effective from January 6 at 8:16 a.m. until January 7 at 9:00 a.m., with vertical limits from the surface up to 10,000 feet.
• Taal Volcano: Effective from January 6 at 8:14 a.m. until January 7 at 9:00 a.m., with vertical limits from the surface up to 11,000 feet.

“All flight operators are strongly advised to avoid flying close to volcanic summits and to continuously monitor NOTAMs and official advisories for updates,” the CAAP said.

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised Alert Level 3 over the Mayon Volcano in Albay after pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or “uson” were recorded.

Alert Level 3 or a high level of volcanic unrest means that magmatic intrusion to shallow levels of the edifice is driving unrest, with indications that a hazardous eruption may occur in weeks.

Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 2, which means there is increased unrest. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may occur in the volcano.

Meanwhile, Bulusan and Taal Volcanoes remain at Alert Level 1or low level of volcanic unrest.

For Taal Volcano, tectonic activity beneath the volcano may be occurring and that steam-driven, gas or hydrothermal explosions can occur without warning.

As to the Bulusan Volcano, the source of volcanic activity is shallow, near crater or in the vicinity of the Irosin Caldera. Entry into the permanent danger zone (PDZ) prohibited. — JMA, GMA Integrated News