Legazpi Airport re-opens amid Mayon threat

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday announced that Legazpi Airport in Albay has re-opened for commercial operations amid threats due to restive Mayon volcano.

In an advisory, the CAAP said the airport resumed operations from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26.

The airport would also be operational from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Saturday, January 27, until Wednesday, January 31.

“Legazpi, Naga, and Masbate Airports are operational pursuant to visual meteorological conditions (or VMC),” CAAP said in its advisory.

CAAP also advised pilots flying near the volcano to exercise extreme caution, as ash from volcanic eruption can be hazardous to planes.

It also advised passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines on the flight schedules that may be affected by the changing VMCs brought about by continuing Mayon volcano eruption.

The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded at least one lava fountaining episode on Friday morning.

READ: Legazpi Airport temporarily shut down due to Mayon threat

Legazpi airport was closed at 2:21 p.m. on January 22 after Phivolcs raised Mayon volcano to Alert Level 4.

Alert Level 4 was still hoisted by Phivolcs in the seemingly restive volcano when the CAAP advisory was issued.