Mactan–Cebu International Airport (MCIA) announced that it detected volcanic ashfall from Mount Kanlaon within its vicinity, including on its runways, prompting the cancellation of both departing and arriving flights on Thursday. 

In its social media advisory, MCIA stated that volcanic ash is highly abrasive and poses a severe risk to aircraft engines, exterior surfaces, and navigational instruments.

“Due to the volcanic ashfall from Kanlaon, flights to and from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have been affected as of July 9 (today),” the Cebu airport said.

Cancelled flights on Thursday include departure flights such as PR 2279 Cebu-Bacolod, PR 2313 Cebu-Cagayan, PR 2664 Cebu-Busuanga, PR 2850 Cebu-Manila, PR 2351 Cebu-Siargao, PR 2682 Cebu-Busuanga and DG 6855 Cebu-Siargao and one arrival flights PR 2360 Caticlan-Cebu.. 

As of 3:00 PM, cancelled departure flights were DG 6853 Cebu-Siargao, DG 6793 Cebu-Ozamiz, DG 6210 Cebu-Daraga, 5J 4308 Cebu-Clark, 5J 4300 Cebu-Clark and 5J 4525 Cebu-Cagayan. 

Meanwhile, as of 3:50 PM, additional departure flights were cancelled including PR 2347 Cebu-Puerto Princesa, PR 2680 Cebu-Busuanga, PR 2382 Cebu-Siargao, PR 2238 Cebu-Tacloban, PR 2854 Cebu-Manila, PR 2868 Cebu-Manila and arrival flights, PR 2853 Manila-Cebu, PR 2867 Manila-Cebu and PR 2364 Davao-Cebu. 

“Passengers are advised to coordinate directly with their airlines as flight status continues to change throughout the day,” MCIA noted.