Volcano smoke closes Tokua airport

Volcano smoke from Mount Tavurvur forced the closure of Papua New Guinea's Tokua Airport (RAB/AYTK) on 9 January 2009. A northwest wind is currently pushing thick black smoke from the volcano toward the airport, which is located approximately 12 mi/20 km away. As a result, Air Niugini has canceled all flights to the airport until further notice due to the danger the smoke poses to the airport engines and visibility. The volcano has continuously released smoke, ash and rocks since it last erupted in 1994.