Volcano Activity Disrupts Alaskan Flights

Read the blog below or watch the Video HERE.

Alaska Travelers are currently facing significant flight delays and cancellations due to the recent eruption of the Shiveluch volcano. How and why could volcanic activity affect your trip to Alaska?

When a volcano erupts, it releases ash and other particles into the atmosphere, which can pose a serious threat to aircraft. Therefore, volcanic eruptions can have significant impact on air travel in Alaska.

This latest eruption provides a perfect example of that. Located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Shiveluch has been spewing gray volcanic dust and smoke more than 6 miles high into the sky since last week. It's the largest fallout for Shiveluch in 60 years. This ash cloud has been drifting to the East, yes, in our direction.

In Alaska, we are part of the ring of fire. We have over 130 active volcanoes of our own, so the airlines have established strict protocols to deal with our sporadic eruptions.

Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines by clogging and actually melting inside them. The ash can damage other parts of the aircraft and limit visibility. To ensure your safety, airlines have to take precautionary measures when there is a risk of volcanic ash in the air. This can mean rerouting flights to avoid the affected area or canceling flights to ensure your safety.

This current eruption of Shiveluch is affecting several Alaska Airline flights right now, causing delays and cancellations. With the summer season approaching, It's a timely reminder of how Mother Nature can have a significant and unexpected impact on your travel plans. This is one of those times that you'll wish that you purchased that pesky travel insurance!

For the latest updates on how this or other eruptions could affect your travel plans, be sure to check with your airline. They should offer rebooking options for affected passengers.

How do you get to Alaska? Here are some travel planning links for your convenience!

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