CAAP to pilots: Avoid flying near Mayon’s top due to phreatic eruption

Photo of Mayon volcano taken on Feb. 4, 2024 (Sunday) (From TY ANAID)

MANILA, Philippines — Following a phreatic eruption over Mayon on Sunday afternoon, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a Notice to Airmen on Sunday evening.

“With Mayon Volcano now on Alert Level 2, flights have been prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface and advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” CAAP said in a statement.

The agency said continuous monitoring of the situation is being conducted as “Mayon Volcano exhibits abnormal activity.”

It based its report from Cynthia Tumanut, Area Manager of CAAP Area Center 5 in Albay.

“No ashfall was detected on the runway at Bicol International Airport, but stringent inspections are being conducted to check for possible ash fall and other contaminants,” CAAP added.

At 4:37 p.m. on Sunday (February 4), Mayon spewed ash and volcanic material as a phreatic eruption occurred from within the volcano.