Volcanic ash cloud forces airline to cancel flights

PNG Air cancelled flights into Boram airport in Wewak yesterday due to volcanic ash that has spewed into the sky from the eruption of Kadovar Island at the weekend.
The ash cloud was drifting westwards towards Wewak because of a change in wind direction, said PNG Air acting chief executive Craig Chapple.
“PNG Air was aware early afternoon on Saturday that the volcano on Kadovar Island had erupted and we briefed our crews to monitor the situation for flights into and out of Boram, Wewak,” Chapple said.
“Over the weekend the ash cloud was tracking to the north-east away from the mainland so it did not create any issues with flights at Boram, but the wind shifted overnight and the ash cloud is now tracking west, directly affecting Boram.
“We have suspended flights until the ash cloud moves away.
“Volcanic ash is very fine and can cause damage to aircraft engines and other systems, as well as damage windscreens, making them opaque.
“Ash avoidance is the preventative measure to ensure pilots keep clear of the ash cloud as the ash can be hard to detect.”
Flights into Boram are made or cancelled at airlines’discretion, said National Airports Corporation chief executive Richard Yopo.
He said the situation was being monitored by NAC in collaboration with PNG Air Services Limited.
“It is under observation. From the east it is fine but on the west there are some clouds and smoke,” Yopo said.
“Air Niugini did one flight and PNG Air flew over and it is entirely the operator’s call after their safety assessments in consultation with National Airports Corporation and PNG Air Services Limited. We are monitoring at this stage. “
Wewak MP Kevin Isisfu said that the relevant government agencies had been told of the situation on Kadovar Island.
He said they had set up on nearby Ruprup Island to monitor the situation and help the islanders. Kadovar, which is part of the Schouten Islands group, is about 30 kilometres from the mouth of the Sepik River.