Drifting ash from Russian volcano prompts Alaska Airlines flight cancellations

By Associated Press

Updated: April 13, 2023 Published: April 13, 2023

Smoke and ash are visible during the the Shiveluch volcano's eruption on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Shiveluch, one of Russia's most active volcanoes, erupted Tuesday, spewing clouds of ash 20 kilometers into the sky and covering broad areas with ash. (Alexander Ledyayev via AP)

Alaska Airlines canceled more than two dozen flights on Thursday because of an ash cloud from a volcano in Russia.

The cloud is from Shiveluch Volcano. About 28 flights to, from and within Alaska were canceled as of early Thursday, the Seattle-based airline said.

“We continue to monitor the ash cloud, and depending on its location, movement and timing, we might need to cancel additional flights,” the statement said. It encouraged travelers to check the status of their flights online.

Among those affected was U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, whose overnight flight from Honolulu to Anchorage was canceled, Dillingham, Alaska, radio station KDLG reported.

BREAKING: An ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Russia is impacting flights in the state of Alaska. As a safety precaution, @AlaskaAir has canceled some flights to and from Alaska and within the state. Guests can check the status of their flight at https://t.co/paAYVccsjy.
— Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) April 13, 2023

Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka Peninsula’s most active volcanoes, started erupting early Tuesday, spewing ash more than 300 miles northwest. Several Russian villages were covered in grey volcanic dust in the largest fallout in nearly 60 years.

This photo released by the Head of the Ust-Kamchatsky municipal district Oleg Bondarenko on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, shows volcanic ash covers the ground in Kozyrevsk, Ust-Kamchatsky district after the Shiveluch volcano's eruption on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russian far east. Shiveluch, one of Russia's most active volcanoes, erupted Tuesday, spewing clouds of ash 20 kilometers into the sky and covering broad areas with ash. (The Head of the Ust-Kamchatsky municipal district Oleg Bondarenko via AP)

On Wednesday, the eruption sent an ash cloud more than 6 miles into the air. The volcano is about 1,770 miles west of Anchorage.

Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and has been used as an industrial abrasive. The powdered rock can cause a jet engine to shut down.