Alaska Airlines Cancels 28 Flights as Result of Mt. Augustine Volcano Eruption

Alaska Airlines announced it has canceled 28 flights scheduled to operate this afternoon through Saturday morning as a result of the Mt. Augustine volcano eruption. The airline has canceled flights as a safety precaution related to the possibility of volcanic ash existing at altitude.

Starting at 3 p.m. Alaska time today, the airline will not operate scheduled flights between Anchorage, Alaska, and the following cities: Chicago; Juneau and Kodiak, Alaska; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle. In addition, the airline will not operate scheduled flights between Fairbanks and Seattle.

Alaska Airlines expects to resume these flights sometime after 8:30 a.m. Alaska time on Saturday. The airline is monitoring the volcano on a continuous basis and may make additional changes to its flight schedule.

"We recognize these cancellations will significantly impact passengers intending to travel to or from Alaska," said Bill MacKay, Alaska’s senior vice president for Alaska. "These decisions are guided by our commitment to safety. We are making every effort to accommodate passengers whose flight schedules have been disrupted."

Travelers are advised to check the status of flights at alaskaair.com or 1-800-ALASKAAIR. Specific information about making changes to flight itineraries due to these cancellations is available at alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air newsroom at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines