Volcanic ash eruption forces Fiji Airways to cancel regional, domestic flights

Fiji Airways has been forced to cancel a significant number of regional and domestic flights due to volcanic ash disrupting airspace and airport operations. The disruption stems from the ongoing eruption of the Manaro Voui volcano on Ambae Island in Vanuatu, with the resulting ash cloud impacting air travel across both Vanuatu and Fiji.

Specifically, regional services connecting Nadi with Port Vila, and Suva with Funafuti, have been grounded. Several domestic routes within Fiji have also been affected, including flights between Nadi, Suva, Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, and Cicia. The airline is actively working to manage the situation by contacting all passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted.

Fiji Airways has assured affected passengers that alternative travel arrangements will be provided where feasible. The airline strongly advises passengers to regularly check its website for the latest updates on flight statuses. Safety remains the paramount concern for Fiji Airways, with teams continuously monitoring the volcanic ash situation and prepared to adjust operations as necessary.

The Vanuatu Geological Hazards Department has maintained Alert Level 3 for the Manaro Voui volcano, indicating it remains in an active state of eruption. The continuous ash emissions pose a persistent risk to aviation in the region, necessitating the flight cancellations and ongoing vigilance from the airline and geological authorities.