Sabah airports operating as usual despite fears of Mt Ruang ash cloud

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah airports remain operational, although some airlines rescheduled or cancelled some flights into the state amid fears of volcanic ash spreading from Mount Ruang.

Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Tawau Airport officials said operations continued Wednesday (May 1).

They noted, however, that some flights in and out of both airports had been delayed, rescheduled or even cancelled.

ALSO READ: Indonesia volcano eruption shuts more airports, ash reaches Malaysia

Since late Tuesday evening (April 30), at least six flights to and from Kuala Lumpur were cancelled but reinstated by Wednesday morning.

The temporary cancellation left many passengers in a fix, with some having to spend the night at the respective airport.

"Things are getting better," Tawau airport manager Yakub Abu Bakar said when contacted.

"The passengers were (affected by) the changes in flight times. The airlines are trying to assist them."

ALSO READ: Ash, debris rain down on villages

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) senior manager Jefry Ramli said there has not been any general flight disruption so far.

"So far, our operations are OK (but) Sarawak seems to be affected," he said, adding that some flights from KKIA into Sarawak had been cancelled.

Mount Ruang on Sulawesi Island erupted thrice on Tuesday (April 30), spewing ash almost 2km into the sky.