FAA · Information for Operators (InFO)
InFO 26009: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcanic Observatory Notification for Aviation (VONA).
In Brief
What It Addresses
This InFO provides information on a new notification system from State Volcanic Observatories (SVO) concerning volcanic ash alerts that are critical for aviation safety.
Why It Matters
The VONA is a global notification product used by SVOs to inform the aviation community, including meteorologists, air traffic managers, pilots, and dispatchers, about volcanic activities that could pose hazards to aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has defined the content and format of VONAs, which became a recommended practice (effective November 28, 2025) for SVOs to disseminate.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Flight Standards
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos_____ An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements, with relatively low urgency or impact on safety. This is a guidance document. Its content is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon by the Department as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty. Conformity with the guidance document is voluntary only. Nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
Subject: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcanic Observatory Notification for Aviation (VONA).
Purpose: This InFO provides information on a new notification system from State Volcanic Observatories (SVO) concerning volcanic ash alerts that are critical for aviation safety.
Background: The VONA is a global notification product used by SVOs to inform the aviation community, including meteorologists, air traffic managers, pilots, and dispatchers, about volcanic activities that could pose hazards to aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has defined the content and format of VONAs, which became a recommended practice (effective November 28, 2025) for SVOs to disseminate. In the United States, the USGS has been designated as the SVO responsible for issuing VONAs.
To enhance efficiency and economy in U.S. government operations, the National Weather Service (NWS) will support the USGS by disseminating VONA messages through existing NWS infrastructure. This will be accomplished via the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS), meeting the ICAO requirements.
Discussion: VONA’s are issued for both increasing and decreasing volcanic activity and include text about the nature of the unrest or eruption and about potential or current hazards and likely outcomes. Scientists describe a volcano's status using alert levels and color codes and issue different types of notifications depending on the situation. All notifications are publicly available.
Aviation Color Code
(ACC) Alert Level Interpretation
GREEN
A volcano is in its normal, non-eruptive state.
Or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity is considered to have ceased, and the volcano has reverted to its normal, non-eruptive state.
YELLOW
A volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background levels. Or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for a possible renewed increase.
InFOInformation for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
InFO 26009
DATE: 06/02/26
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Distributed by: Flight Standards
ORANGE A volcano is exhibiting heightened unrest with an increased likelihood of eruption. Or, a volcanic eruption is underway with no, or minor, ash emissions.
RED The eruption is forecast to be imminent, with significant ash emissions likely into the atmosphere. Or, an eruption is underway, with significant ash emissions into the atmosphere. UNASSIGNED There is insufficient information available to assess the current status of the volcano or volcanic activity.
Example VONA
VONA
DTG: 20231003/1412Z
VOLCANO: SHISHALDIN 311360
PSN: N05445 W16358
AREA: ALEUTIANS
SOURCE ELEV: 9373FT AMSL
NOTICE NR: 2023/125
CURRENT COLOUR CODE: RED
PREVIOUS COLOUR CODE: ORANGE
SVO: ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY
ACT STS: ERUPTION OCCURRED
DUR: ONGOING CONS
VA CLD HGT: 40000FT AMSL
HGT SOURCE: SATELLITE
MOV: S
CTC: ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DUTY SCIENTIST, TEL 907-786-7497
RMK: SIG VA EM OBS IN SATELLITE AT 20231003/1350Z. VA EM EXP TO BE CONS FOR SEVERAL HR. NXT NOTICE: A NEW VONA WILL BE ISSUED IF COND CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY OR IF THE COLOUR CODE CHANGES To receive the VONA via Aeronautical Fixed System (AFS), add the new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) IDs below.
1. Alaskan
Traditional Alphanumeric Code (TAC) VONAs:
o WMAK01 PAVO o WMAK02 PAVO o WMAK03 PAVO o WMAK04 PAVO o WMAK05 PAVO o WMAK06 PAVO
Graphical Format (IWXXM) VONAs:
o LMAK01 PAVO o LMAK02 PAVO o LMAK03 PAVO o LMAK04 PAVO o LMAK05 PAVO o LMAK06 PAVO
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2. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
TAC VONAs:
o WMMY01 PAVO o WMMY02 PAVO o WMMY03 PAVO
IWXXM VONAs:
o LMMY01 PAVO o LMMY02 PAVO o LMMY03 PAVO
3. American Samoa
TAC VONAs:
o WMPS01 PHVO o WMPS02 PHVO
IWXXM VONAs:
o LMPS01 PHVO o LMPS02 PHVO
4. Hawaiian
TAC VONAs:
o WMPA01 PHVO o WMPA02 PHVO o WMPA03 PHVO
IWXXM VONAs:
o LMPA01 PHVO o LMPA02 PHVO o LMPA03 PHVO
5. California
TAC VONAs:
o WMUS01 KVOL o WMUS02 KVOL o WMUS03 KVOL
IWXXM VONAs:
o LMUS01 KVOL o LMUS02 KVOL o LMUS03 KVOL
6. Cascades/Yellowstone
TAC VONAs:
o WMUS01 KVWA o WMUS02 KVWA o WMUS03 KVWA o WMUS04 KVWA o WMUS05 KVWA o WMUS06 KVWA
IWXXM VONAs o LMUS01 KVWA o LMUS02 KVWA
Distributed by: Flight Standards
o LMUS03 KVWA o LMUS04 KVWA o LMUS05 KVWA o LMUS06 KVWA Further information on the VONA and USGS can be found at Volcano Notifications Deliver Situational Information | U.S. Geological Survey
Recommended Action
1.Operators, Dispatchers and Pilots:
Be familiar with the VONA format, content, and how it impacts flight operations.
Ensure that flight planning incorporates VONA information into decision-making processes.
Monitor VONA updates for real-time information about volcanic activity that may affect flight safety.
2.Air Traffic Managers:
Integrate VONA notifications into air traffic management systems to maintain high levels of operational safety.
Communicate VONA updates promptly to relevant aviation stakeholders. 3.Meteorologists: Use VONA data alongside other meteorological information to enhance forecasts and advisories related to volcanic activity.
Contact: Direct questions or comments regarding this InFO to the Air Transportation Division at 9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
InFO 26009