Following the midnight eruption of the Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica, the Directorate of Civil Aviation has issued a warning to pilots, controllers and members of air crews about the lingering ash clouds that have formed in some air corridors over the country.

Civil Aviation Director Alvaro Vargas explained that the volcanic ash could affect flights and airport operations in Costa Rica. At the present time, no flights have been canceled and no restrictions have been issued; however, the warning indicates that pilots and air crews should exercise caution when flying within a 20 nautical linear mile radius from the Turrialba Volcano at an altitude of 19,000 ft (5.7 km).

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star:

About 20 minutes before midnight on October 29th, the Turrialba Volcano in the province of Cartago woke up from its slumber without warning and delivered the strongest eruption in the last 150 years. The quiet agricultural town of Turrialba was shaken by a few seismic movements, which were followed by massive ash clouds that traveled as far as communities in Heredia and Coronado.

Speaking to national news station Radio Columbia 98.7 FM, Director Vargas added that his agency is in contact with the Observatory on Seismicity and Volcanology, the National Seismology Network and the National Institute of Meteorology. Should flight conditions deteriorate due to continuous volcanic activity and persistent ash clouds, the Director may consider restrictions over certain parts of Costa Rica.

It is important to note that visibility and turbulence are not the only issues that may affect flight conditions following a volcanic eruption. There is also the issue of volcanic ash to consider, which may enter the turbines and engines of some aircraft. The National Commission on Emergencies has issued a yellow alert warning for the communities located on the skirts of the Turrialba Volcano.