Mt Ruang erupts again: Flights to and from Sabah, Sarawak affected

Mt Ruang erupts again: Flights to and from Sabah, Sarawak affected

PETALING JAYA: Low-cost carrier AirAsia has cancelled 21 flights to and from Sabah and Sarawak following the latest Mount Ruang eruption.

The airline said that the flights involved several locations including Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu in Sarawak.

“AirAsia has notified all affected guests and to offer provisions to assist them to make alternate travel arrangements.

“Guests who are travelling to and from the affected destinations are encouraged to check their registered email and mobile phones for cancellation notifications,” it said in a statement on Wednesday (May 1) morning.

AirAsia also advised its passengers to check their latest flight status at airasia.com/flightstatus.

“AirAsia is continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide more information on the latest developments to guests directly and on all key communication channels,” it added.

The airline added that affected passengers would be offered a one-time flight change for free within 30 days from the original departure date on the same route without additional cost and subject to seat availability.

Passengers could also retain the value of the flight booking in their AirAsia Rewards member account for future travel with AirAsia to be redeemed within 730 calendar days (two years) from the issuance date.

The travel date of the new booking can fall on any date within the published flight schedule on airasia.com, the company said.

The country’s flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, had also issued a similar travel advisory informing a cancellation of several flights to and from Sabah and Sarawak.

The flights include to and from Sabah MH2710 (KUL-SDK), MH2711 (SDK-KUL), MH2668 (KUL-SDK) and MH2669 (SDK-KUL).

Cancelled flights to and from Sarawak were MH2594 (KUL-MYY), MH2593 (MYY-KUL), MH2574 (KUL-MYY), MH2575 (MYY-KUL), MH2716 (KUL-SBW) and MH2715 (SBW-KUL).

“Updates will be provided here periodically and communicated directly to affected customers.

“To minimise the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen cancellations, Malaysia Airlines is offering affected customers a one-time change to their travel itinerary free of charge, or they can opt for a full refund irrespective of their fare family,” the airline said in a statement.

The company added that affected customers who wish to change their flights or cancel their travel may do so via ‘My Booking’ on its website.

“Alternatively, customers may also reach out to our Live Chat support available on the website or call our Global Contact Centre,” it added.

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