And This Could Be Just The Beginning

Alaska Airlines once again suspended flights in and out of Anchorage, AK Monday morning, following a volcanic eruption at Mount Redoubt that generated a continuous ash cloud. This latest service cancellation comes less than 24 hours after the airline -- and other carriers serving Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) -- resumed service to the airport.

"We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers, but their safety is always our highest priority," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' chief operating officer and executive vice president of operations. "We're continuing to closely monitor the weather and ash from Mount Redoubt and will resume flights when it is safe to do so. We're also making every effort to re-accommodate passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted."

It seems a near-certainty the next several weeks will prove trying for Alaskan passengers, and the airlines trying hard to serve them. KTVA-11 reports air travelers in the region may expect similar delays in the foreseeable future, as the volcano settles into a pattern of small but regular eruptions before finally cooling, and eventually becoming dormant once again.

Trouble is... that could be a long time from now, according to geologists. The last series of eruptions from Mount Redoubt started in late 1989, and lasted four months. So far, activity from the mountain has followed a similar pattern this time around.

While most realize that circumstances are out of anyone's control, passengers are still growing weary of constant stops-and-starts. "We spent the last five days trying to get out of Dutch Harbor due to backed up flights from the volcano," said Suzanne Schuette. "It's like ground hog day. You get up every day, every morning, go to the airport, check in, make sure that your flight might come and just wait."

The volcano lies about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, though so far winds have spared the city from the brunt of any ash fall. What has caused concern, however, is the detrimental effects of the highly-abrasive ash on air travel in the region.

Ash spewed upward by the initial December 1989 eruption led to a four-engine flameout aboard a KLM Boeing 747 overflying the area. The flight crew was able to restart the engines and make an emergency landing in Anchorage, though the plane needed $80 million in engine repairs afterward.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com