KUALA LUMPUR: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has issued safety information regarding the volcanic ash hazard warning in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which has impacted flight operations in the Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Region (FIR).
Its chief executive officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud said the safety information was issued following the eruption of Gunung Ruang in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which began at 9.45am on Apr 16.
"The eruption has resulted in the formation of ash clouds moving towards the Kota Kinabalu FIR, posing a risk to aircraft safety in that airspace.
"CAAM advises airlines and aircraft operators to continuously monitor meteorological updates, advisories and information related to volcanic ash issued by the authorities."
He added members of the public involved in flights in the affected area were also advised to stay informed about developments in volcanic eruptions and the current status of flight schedules issued by airlines.
Earlier, multiple flights to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Sabah and Sarawak today have been cancelled due to the Gunung Ruang volcanic eruption in Indonesia.
Gunung Ruang, a stratovolcano in North Sulawesi Province, erupted several times on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Authorities had raised the alert level to its highest point after the dome spewed a column of smoke more than 1.6 kilometres into the sky, and forced hundreds to evacuate.
The alert level for the volcano, which has a peak of 725 metres above sea level, was then raised on Wednesday evening from three to four, the highest possible level in the four-tiered system.