Alaska Airlines Cancels Flights to Nome and Kotzebue Over Volcanic Ash

(Alaska) Alaska Airlines canceled multiple flights to western Alaska on August 12 after a broad plume of volcanic ash from Russia’s Klyuchevskoy Volcano crossed the Bering Sea and drifted into regional airspace. The airline said it planned to resume operations on August 13, but warned schedules could still change as conditions evolve.

At least five flights to Nome, Kotzebue, and Utqiagvik were grounded as a safety step while satellite data confirmed the ash cloud over the Bering Sea. The plume was expected to linger into the morning of August 13, according to the National Weather Service’s Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.

Aviation hazard levels and aircraft risk

The risk level around Klyuchevskoy briefly reached a “red” aviation hazard code after an ash column about 12 kilometers high was detected. The alert later dropped to “orange” as the immediate threat to settlements eased.

Even with the downgrade, the core danger to aircraft remains:

• Volcanic ash can damage engines, clog sensors, scratch cockpit windows, and wear away aircraft surfaces.
• Airlines, including Alaska Airlines, follow strict rules: if ash appears in a flight path, crews cancel or reroute.
• VisaVerge.com reports that carriers in Alaska treat ash as an immediate no‑go because a single encounter can force an emergency descent or engine shutdown.

“Crews train to avoid visible ash and to treat any report, even a thin layer, as a reason to change course.”
Pilots who have flown through ash report engine surges, strange smells, and a sandblasted look on the windshield.

Recent activity at Klyuchevskoy and broader context

The current burst of activity at Klyuchevskoy began on April 20.

Key developments since then:

• By July 29, the crater filled with lava and explosions resumed, pushing ash up to 8 kilometers above sea level.
• Lava flows started down the volcano’s western slope on July 30, the same day a magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck the region — the strongest since 1952.
• Scientists recorded the earth’s surface shifting nearly two meters in southern Kamchatka.

While the quake and eruption are separate events, both contributed to unstable conditions that can send ash high enough to reach busy air routes between Asia and North America.

Impact on western Alaska communities

For Alaska travelers, the timing is difficult. Communities such as Nome and Kotzebue depend on steady air links for people and cargo.

Consequences when flights stop:

• Supplies and mail are delayed.
• Medical trips and referrals can be postponed.
• Cargo backlogs and crew duty limits can cause ripples lasting days.

Alaska Airlines said crews were tracking wind and ash data hour by hour and would add flights back when skies cleared. The airline signaled a measured return on August 13 while keeping blocks of time open for last‑minute changes. Passengers were advised to check the carrier’s website or app before heading to the airport, since weather and ash can shift quickly.

Airspace scheduling challenges ahead

There is a separate airspace challenge: officials plan to close Anchorage’s skies on August 15 for VIP movement tied to an international event involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump. These restrictions, combined with ash risk, narrow the window for sequencing flights.

Implications:

• Western Alaska relies on a few routes and aircraft types; short suspensions can ripple for days.
• Cargo backlogs, crew duty limits, and the upcoming airspace closure may compound disruptions.

Public health and local preparedness

Local agencies treat ash as a public health issue. Emergency managers and school districts have plans for ashfall, including:

• Early dismissals
• Air filtration steps
• Distribution of N95 masks to students and staff when needed

These actions reduce exposure to fine particles that can irritate lungs and eyes — especially for children, elders, and people with asthma.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory and the Russian Academy of Sciences continue to monitor Klyuchevskoy around the clock and issue hazard codes as conditions change.

What passengers should do now

Alaska Airlines said customers on canceled flights would be rebooked on the next available option at no extra charge. If disruptions stretch, the airline may offer help with meals or lodging based on the length and cause of the delay. Travelers should keep receipts and follow guidance in their booking emails.

Practical steps for anyone booked to or through western Alaska this week:

1. Check flight status often in the airline app or on the website before leaving for the airport.
2. Turn on trip alerts to receive texts or emails about gate changes, delays, or cancellations.
3. If your flight is canceled, use self‑service rebooking tools to grab seats as they open (phone wait times can be long).
4. Keep your itinerary flexible for the next several days — rolling changes are possible.
5. If you need medicines, plan for extra days; cargo flights may be delayed while ash persists.

Some travel insurance policies cover trip changes due to natural disasters, though terms vary by plan.

Official advisories and monitoring resources

Officials remind pilots and dispatchers that ash often spreads in thin, hard‑to‑spot layers. The FAA and airlines rely on advisories from the Anchorage VAAC, which posts maps and forecast tracks when eruptions send particles toward U.S. air routes.

For current ash graphics and bulletins, see the National Weather Service’s Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center at https://www.weather.gov/vaac. This is the main federal source crews use to plan diversions around ash.

Outlook and final reminders

Scientists say Klyuchevskoy remains highly active. More eruptions or ash bursts could occur in the coming weeks, depending on volcanic behavior and wind patterns aloft.

• The ash cloud tied to this week’s cancellations was expected to remain a risk through at least the morning of August 13, 2025, with further flight changes possible if winds shift.
• The aviation hazard code could move again if the volcano pushes a taller column or quiets for a stretch.

For residents in western Alaska, restoring flights is critical: cargo holds carry groceries, parts, and mail that keep daily life running, and medical referrals often require same‑day travel.

Alaska Airlines said it will add capacity where possible once airspace is clear, but will not compromise on safety. Travelers should expect tight planning around August 15 due to Anchorage airspace closures for VIP movement. If your trip involves a connection through Anchorage, consider building in extra time or traveling a day earlier or later if possible.

As U.S. and Russian agencies track the volcano, coordination remains key. The Alaska Volcano Observatory and the Anchorage VAAC provide updates and forecasts that airlines use to plan safe routes. According to VisaVerge.com, steady communication between meteorologists, air traffic control, and carriers helps reduce disruptions and limits last‑minute scrambles.

For now: watch your flight, keep your phone handy, and expect the plan to shift as the ash moves.