• Airports in Bicol region recorded no damages during the June 5 eruption of Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon
• Commercial operations at Bicol airports are unhampered
• Flights have been prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface of the volcano
• Airlines are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano summit as ash from the eruption can be hazardous to aircraft
Operations at Bicol airports are unhampered by the eruption of Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
No damages to the air facilities were recorded during the June 5 ash emission and phreatic eruption of the volcano, CAAP said in a statement on June 6.
The seven airports CAAP operates in the region are Bulan Airport, Sorsogon Airport, Daet Airport, Masbate Airport, Naga Airport, Virac Airport, and Bicol International Airport.
Commercial operations also remain unhampered as of this writing.
“We remain vigilant and alert for the volcano’s next activities. As of now, our airports have been safe from the wrath of Mt. Bulusan’s eruption. Operations in our airports with commercial flights have remained unhampered as well,” CAAP Area V manager Cynthia Tumanut said.
CAAP has updated its Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to reflect the situation in the vicinity of Mount Bulusan.
Entry to the volcano’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited following the raising of alert level to 1 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, according to NOTAM B1507/22.
Alert Level 1 indicates “low-level unrest”.
Further, flights have been prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface of the volcano. Airlines are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Mount Bulusan had a phreatic eruption at 10:30 a.m. on June 5, sending out steam and ash plumes over one kilometer high on several villages in Juban town and the adjoining municipality of Irosin.
Mount Bulusan is a stratovolcano and is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
