Popayán Airport Reopens After Volcanic Ash Forces Temporary Closure

The Guillermo León Valencia Airport in Popayán, Colombia, has resumed operations after being temporarily shut down due to volcanic ash from the nearby Puracé volcano. The closure, implemented as a precautionary safety measure, aimed to protect aircraft engines from the abrasive ash particles, which can cause significant damage and potential failures.

The Aeronáutica Civil announced the reopening after technical assessments and reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Washington and the Colombian Geological Service confirmed favorable conditions for air navigation. The Puracé volcano remains on orange alert, indicating a heightened risk.

The airport's closure affected at least five commercial routes, disrupting travel to and from cities such as Cali, Puerto Asís, and Florencia. This led to cancellations, delays, and itinerary changes, causing frustration among passengers. The resumption of flights is expected to normalize air travel, though authorities caution that minor adjustments to schedules may occur as air traffic fully stabilizes.

The volcanic ash, a significant risk to aviation, originates from recent emissions by the Puracé volcano. Authorities have identified an "affected polygon" encompassing Popayán and surrounding areas, noting that ashfall occurs intermittently, necessitating continuous monitoring of the airspace.

“

The presence and ingestion of particles can compromise the correct functioning of the engines.