MAS, SIA cancel Jakarta flights due to volcanic ash

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Saturday cancelled flights to Jakarta because of the violent eruption of Indonesia's most active volcano.

"Due to volcanic ash from Mount Merapi in Indonesia, flights to and from Jakarta are being temporarily suspended," Singapore Airlines said on its website.

"We have cancelled flights to Jakarta for today and one flight tomorrow... because of the ash," a Malaysia Airlines spokeswoman told AFP .

"We will continue monitoring the situation, it depends whether the ash clouds still surrounds the region of Jakarta," she said.

MAS has also cancelled flights to two other Indonesian cities - Bandung and Yogyakarta. 

Merapi killed 85 people in its latest eruption on Friday, with scores more suffering severe burns.

The latest deaths bring the overall toll to 128 since the volcano started erupting on October 26.

MAS said it will continue observing the Indonesian air space to ascertain the safety of flight operations into the area after Nov 7.

Three options

MAS director of operations Captain Azharuddin Osman said the

volcanic ash presence in the airways surrounding Jakarta could cause severe damage to aircraft engines which could impair the safety of its operations including passengers and crew.

“We will only be able to confirm the flight schedules once the situation has improved and clearance from the relevant civil aviation authorities has been eceived. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said.

Passengers on the affected flights have three options:

• Get a full refund depending on the terms and conditions of the fare type;

• Exchange tickets to fly to Surabaya (However, ground arrangements will not be covered); or

• Re-book on the next available flight

As the situation remains volatile, Malaysia Airlines advises passengers to heck the flight status at its website before proceeding to the airport.

Alternatively, passengers can also call the MAS Call Center 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia), +603-7843 3000 (outside Malaysia).