KUCHING: Passengers affected by flight cancellations following the Mount Ruang volcanic eruption have been advised to remain calm and prioritise their safety above all else.
Management Pilot at a local aviation company Captain Dante Clement Dris said it is essential for passengers affected to stay informed by following official information and to keep in touch with their airline providers for updates on flight status and alternatives.
“At this moment, safety is the priority. So, passengers must be prepared for potential delays and changes until the situation following the volcanic eruption has been resolved,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune.
While flight crews are trained to handle volcanic ash encounters, Dante stressed the importance of prioritising safety.
He said if flight crews encounter such situation inflight, they are trained to carry out appropriate safety measures.
“This includes changing the flight path to avoid areas of potential ash contamination and getting real-time updates on volcanic ash dispersion from air traffic control and operations centre,” he said.
Dante said there are many potential implications for aircraft if flights were to resume amid the current situation.
He said the aircraft engine can sustain damage due to ash ingestion and abrasion by ash particles along the windshield and fuselage can lead to loss of visibility and potential damage to the aircraft.
“Volcanic ash can also cause damage to the onboard systems such as clogging air filters and disrupting aircraft electronic systems,” he said.
On the question of when flights can safely resume, Dante said this depends on ongoing assessments conducted by air operators in collaboration with the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.
The centre is providing updates every few hours based on satellite observations and forecast models to predict the dispersion of volcanic ash in the affected areas.
These updates are crucial in assessing the safety of air travel and determining when it would be safe to resume flights.
“Ultimately, the decision on when to resume flights will be made by the respective air operators. As such, passengers affected must remain calm and they can explore options such as rebooking, rerouting or seeking refunds,” he said.
