MERAPI VOLCANO UPDATES Indonesia Issues Flight Warning as Volcano Spews Ash

Merapi Volcano Updates Indonesia Issues Flight Warning As Volcano Spews Ash. Indonesia on Tuesday warned airlines to avoid certain routes over central Java as the Mount Merapi volcano belched more heat clouds of gas and ash, while six international flights were canceled. Read previous news Merapi Erupts Again Today - Indonesian Volcano Spews Heat Clouds Ash.

Transport ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said an official warning was issued telling all airlines to “use an alternative route for safety reasons due to the volcanic ash.“

Malaysia-based AirAsia Bhd. (5099.KU) said it had canceled four flights linking Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta and nearby Solo on Tuesday, while Silk Air canceled two flights between Singapore and Solo.

“The flights...to Yogya and Solo have been canceled only for Nov. 2. We will update if there are any further developments,“ an AirAsia spokeswoman said, referring to four flights to and from the cities.

A statement from SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SINGY), said a flight from Singapore to Solo and its return leg were canceled. “Our next scheduled Singapore-Solo flight is on Thursday and we are closely monitoring the situation,“ the statement said.

Almost 40 people have been killed since the 2,914-meter Mount Merapi, the most active of the many volcanoes in Indonesia, began erupting last week. It spewed heat clouds high into the air six times after dawn on Tuesday, and volcanologists say such activity is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

“It could go on for weeks, even months,“ volcanologist Subandrio said. Indonesia straddles major tectonic fault lines and is part of a region known as the “Ring of Fire“ that circles the Pacific Ocean.

Editor: Jimmy Hitipeuw | AFP | kompas.com

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