PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines has cancelled a dozen flights following a volcanic eruption and ash activity from Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia.
Malaysia Airlines said that flights MH713, MH712, MH711, MH710, MH717, MH716, MH721, MH720, MH723, MH722, MH725 and MH724 have been cancelled due to the volcanic activity affecting operations at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
"Given the evolving situation, Malaysia Airlines is closely monitoring developments. Further updates on affected flights will be updated and communicated directly to affected customers.
"Passengers are reminded to ensure that their contact details are up to date via ‘My Booking’ on the Malaysia Airlines website to receive timely updates via email and SMS.
"Alternatively, customers may contact our Live Chat support available on the Malaysia Airlines website or call our Global Contact Centre at 1 300 88 3000 (within Malaysia) or +603 7843 3000 (outside Malaysia). The safety of our passengers and crew remains our utmost priority,” it said.
Bernama reported that the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta's main airport, was temporarily closed on Sunday after volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau was detected in the airport area, disrupting 209 flights and affecting 22,798 passengers.
Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F Laisa said 16 international flights were cancelled, seven delayed and five rescheduled, involving services to and from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam.
The Geological Agency in a special report published on its website on Saturday (Sept 5), said Anak Krakatau has remained at Level III, or Siaga, since July 2, with repeated eruptions ejecting incandescent material and volcanic ash.
The agency said continuous eruptive activity accompanied by rumbling was recorded from 11.07pm local time on Saturday, with the phenomenon resembling a lava fountain and producing lava flows, while a three-kilometre exclusion zone remained in place around the volcano.
