The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) temporarily suspended flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila Airport, from last night due to the presence of volcanic ash clouds on major traffic airways following the eruption of the Taal Volcano (above) in Luzon Island.

According to the Philippines News Agency (PNA), CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio in an advisory said a Notice to Airmen (Notam) was issued suspending departing flights from NAIA from 6.22pm to 11pm, and arriving flights from 7pm to 11pm.

Authorities are currently discussing the possible redirection of all NAIA arriving flights to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

Low-cost carriers Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines have advised passengers to reach out to them regarding concerns and updates on their flight schedules.

CEB announced that its ground staff will assist affected passengers.

Philippine Airlines, on the other hand, diverted three international flights to Clark, and cancelled the rest of its flights supposedly scheduled from 7p. to 11.m.

At 7.30pm, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 4 on Taal Volcano, a few hours after authorities declared the Volcano under Alert Level 2 and Level 3 in the afternoon.

Authorities have observed a fast escalation in the volcanic activity.

Alert Level 4 means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.

- Bernama-NNN-PNA