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Pavlof Volcano Grounds Two Flights

Brandon Wilson
/
Alaska Volcano Observatory

Pavlof volcano’s ash plume grounded at least two flights Wednesday.  Its ash cloud stretches about 25 miles to the west of the volcano.  Pilots early Wednesday morning estimated the cloud to be between 14,000 and 18,000 feet, which is where Pen Air flies. The airline canceled two flights to Cold Bay Wednesday.  Missy Anderson is Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

"They're blowing it towards Cold Bay, it's bypassing Sand Point, and then it dissipates by the time it gets to Dutch.  They're showing no effects in whatsoever in Dillingham or Bristol Bay areas.  The only place it's affecting us right now is Cold Bay," said Anderson.

Guy Morgan with Grant Aviation in Cold Bay said the airline was able to fly small planes around the ash cloud by taking a route south of the volcano.  Flights went out to Port Moller, False Pass, and King Cove as scheduled. 

Pen Air is hoping to fly Thursday with a couple extra flights to make up for a missed day of travel.     

"We'll just keep watching her and hopefully she'll calm down, and we can go on with business as planned," said Anderson.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory noticed new explosions and lava fountaining Tuesday after the volcano had been quiet for several days.  The aviation code was raised Tuesday to Orange.