The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced the extension of critical Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) covering the airspace surrounding the Bulusan, Kanlaon, and Taal Volcanoes to ensure the utmost safety of all domestic and international flights.
The extensions are a direct response to continuous monitoring and advisories issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) regarding the ongoing volcanic unrest in these regions. Volcanic emissions, including invisible ash and gas plumes, pose severe hazards to aircraft engines and visibility, making strict adherence to these restrictions mandatory.
Specific Airspace Restrictions Extended
The extended NOTAMs are designed to create a mandatory buffer zone around the active craters, with the following vertical limitations:
- Bulusan Volcano: The NOTAM remains effective from the surface up to 10,000 feet (approximately FL100). The current advisory is effective from October 14, 2025, at 8:39 AM until October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM, and is expected to be extended pending further assessment.
- Kanlaon Volcano: Airspace is restricted from the surface up to 11,000 feet (approximately FL110). This restriction is currently effective from October 14, 2025, at 8:35 AM until October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
- Taal Volcano: Airspace is restricted from the surface up to 11,000 feet (approximately FL110). This restriction is currently effective from October 14, 2025, at 8:38 AM until October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
All flight operators are strongly advised to strictly adhere to these revised flight paths and avoid flying close to the designated exclusion zones. CAAP emphasizes that these NOTAMs are dynamic and subject to immediate updates based on volcanic activity.
“Safety is our non-negotiable priority,” stated a CAAP spokesperson. “Our proactive extension of these NOTAMs is a necessary precaution to protect the flying public and aviation assets from the unpredictable nature of volcanic unrest. We are in continuous, real-time coordination with PHIVOLCS and will issue updates immediately as the situation evolves.”
CAAP urges pilots and airline operations centers to monitor the latest NOTAMs continuously and to factor these safety limitations into all flight planning and decision-making processes.
