Chilean Volcano Disrupts Flights in Australia and NZ

A cloud of ash from the Chilean volcano in the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex has made its way to Australasia, causing widespread disruption to commercial flying.

Qantas (IATA:QF) and its subsidiary jetStar (IATA:JQ) have so far cancelled about 88 flights today – which includes the majority of its domestic and New Zealand flight schedule. Air New Zealand (IATA:NZ) has not cancelled any flights so far, but is taking pre-cautionary steps and flying at lower altitudes to avoid the ash cloud. Virgin Austraia (IATA:DJ) was yet to release a statement.

The ash cloud presently sits between 20,000ft and 35,000ft.

The eruption, which began eight days ago, has already forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights in South America.

Ash particles are known to clog aircraft engines. It is not known yet whether the recent engine trouble of an Air New Zealand Boeing 767 had any connection to the ash.