How is the Hunga Tonga Volcano Affecting Pacific Air Traffic?

Okay, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano has essentially blown its top (see video below).

How has this affected air traffic in the region? Any of you flying through there? What, if any, are your experiences? Has the huge cloud it produced affecting any air routes? Thanks!


Scott Manley
Volcanic Eruption May Be Biggest Ever Seen From Space

 

Affirmative, and not just airliner traffic. They were unable to get anyone over the island to check for damage because there was too much ash in the air. There was a pretty good flame-out when Mt St Helens erupted way back when and the plume did not reach anywhere near the same altitudes (~60,000').

 

Later reports indicate the plume reached 30 KM into the atmosphere: 98,000 feet(!).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/01/16/hunga-tonga-volcano-tsunami-eruption/

 

Jacob- Affirmative, the 60,000' was for Mt St Helen, the Tonga one penetrated much higher into the upper stratosphere.

 

A big blast for sure. The weather guessers here in Seattle actually filmed the fog momentarily clearing on the morning weather report by the Tonga shock wave. You could actually see it move from west to east and then settle in again.