SANDAKAN – Multiple flights between Kuala Lumpur and both Sabah as well as Sarawak have been cancelled today following the eruption of Mount Ruang in the Indonesian Sulawesi Islands.
AirAsia has released the list of affected flights on its website, totalling 16 flights between Tawau and Kuala Lumpur, as well as Tawau and Kota Kinabalu for the entire day today.
“AirAsia has notified all affected guests. Guests travelling to/from the affected destinations are encouraged to check their registered email and mobile phones for cancellation notifications and their latest flight status at airasia.com/flightstatus,” it said in a statement.
A Sabah AirAsia personnel told Scoop that while AirAsia has not yet cancelled any flights from Sandakan, he did not deny the possibility of future cancellations due to the developing situation.
Sandakan and Tawau are both districts on Sabah’s east coast.
Below is the list of affected AirAsia flights:
– AK5746 (KUL-TWU)
– AK5747 (TWU-KUL)
– AK9746 (KUL-TWU)
– AK9747 (TWU-KUL)
– AK5748 (KUL-TWU)
– AK5749 (TWU-KUL)
– AK5744 (KUL-TWU)
– AK5745 (TWU-KUL)
– AK6260 (BKI-TWU)
– AK6261 (TWU-BKI)
– AK6266 (BKI-TWU)
– AK6267 (TWU-BKI)
– AK6268 (BKI-TWU)
– AK6269 (TWU-BKI)
– AK6264 (BKI-TWU)
– AK6265 (TWU-BKI)
Meanwhile, Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has also announced flight cancellations. This includes flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sabah/Sarawak today.
The affected flights include those from Sabah’s Tawau, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Sarawak’s Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.
“Given the evolving situation, Malaysia Airlines will continue to closely monitor developments.
“Further updates regarding flight cancellations will be updated here and communicated directly to affected customers.
“Concurrently, the airline is working to accommodate passengers affected by the cancellation of flights on alternative flights once the situation progressively improves,” the national carrier said on Facebook.
MAS also urged passengers to update their contact details via the “My Booking” page on its website to receive timely updates via email and SMS. It added that the safety of passengers and crew remains the top priority for the company.
Below is the list of affected MAS flights:
To/from Sabah:
– MH7420 (KUL-TWU)
– MH7421 (TWU-KUL)
– MH2612 (KUL-BKI)
– MH2621 (BKI-KUL)
– MH2710 (KUL-SDK)
– MH2711 (SDK-KUL)
– MH2610 (KUL-BKI)
– MH2611 (BKI-KUL)
– MH7404 (KUL-BKI)
– MH7405 (BKI-KUL)
– MH2613 (BKI-KUL)
To/from Sarawak:
– MH2520 (KUL-KCH)
– MH2513 (KCH-KUL)
– MH2542 (KUL-KCH)
– MH2543 (KCH-KUL)
– MH2574 (KUL-MYY)
– MH2575 (MYY-KUL)
– MH2742 (KUL-BTU)
– MH2473 (BTU-KUL)
However, a Firefly flight from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu scheduled at 8.10am today was reported to have flown normally.
Additionally, Batik Air has also announced the cancellation of 12 flights between KLIA and Sabah, as well as Sarawak today.
The affected flights are as below;
– OD1022 (KUL-BKI)
– OD1003 (BKI-KUL)
– OD1006 (KUL-BKI)
– OD1007 (BKI-KUL)
– OD1632 (KUL-KCH)
– OD1633 (KCH-KUL)
– OD1636 (KUL-KCH)
– OD1637 (KCH-KUL)
– OD1900 (KUL-TWU)
– OD1901 (TWU-KUL)
– OD1906 (KUL-SBW)
– OD1907 (SBW-KUL)
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and assure you that the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” it said in a statement.
Batik Air also said it will diligently monitor the situation and communicate any updates regarding flight schedule to and from the affected destinations directly the passengers.
“Additionally, timely updates will be accessible on our websites and social media channels.
“In the meantime, we are actively working to assist affected passengers by arranging alternative flights. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time,” it added.
The volcano, located in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province within the Sangihe Islands archipelago, is situated approximately 96km from province capital Manado.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency posted on X that the situation corresponded to a Level 3 on a 1-to-4 scale, with 4 being the most severe.
In Laingpatehi village, there were reports of ashfall and communication issues.
Indonesian authorities urged residents and tourists to remain at least 4km away from the volcano.
Satellite imagery showed a massive eruption around 8 pm local time on Wednesday, which shot ash about 20 to 23km-high.
That is roughly twice the altitude at which commercial aircraft fly. – April 18, 2024