MORE than 20,000 passengers were affected following the suspension of all scheduled flights coming in and out of airports in Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Tawau and Sandakan today.
Airlines said they have since alerted their passengers about the cancellations between West and East Malaysia due to the Mount Ruang volcanic eruption today.
Mount Ruang erupted several times since Tuesday, forcing most flights to be cancelled between the two regions.
According to AirAsia, they have notified all the affected passengers travelling between the two destinations.
“Guests who are travelling to and from the affected destinations are encouraged to check their registered email and mobile phones for cancellation notifications," the airline said in a statement.
It said travellers are allowed to make a one-time change to any new travel date within 30 days from the original departure date on the same route they have purchased, without additional cost and subject to availability.
Alternatively, AirAsia said travelers can keep the value of their flight booking in the guest’s Airasia Rewards member account for future travel. The value is redeemable within 730 days from the issuance date.
AirAsia has cancelled 16 flights so far.
Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG) also said they have communicated directly to their affected passengers.
“Passengers are urged to update their contact details to receive timely updates via email and SMS,” it said.
MAG has so far cancelled 17 flights.
Mount Ruang first erupted on Tuesday night and several more times on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew have called for patience from the travellers affected by the suspension.
It was reported that the volcano’s eruption shot ash plumes nearly 70,000 feet high.
At this point, it cannot be ascertained as to when flights between the East and West Malaysia will resume. – The Vibes, April 18, 2024.
