Flights In Australia Grounded By Ash From Chile Volcano

Flights in Australia grounded by ash from Chile volcano

Sydney - Dozens of flights from the Australian mainland to Tasmania and New Zealand were grounded Sunday due to a cloud of volcanic ash drifting from Chile.

Strong winds have driven the ash cloud 9,400 kilometres across the South Pacific since Puyehue volcano erupted a week ago.

Two airlines cancelled all flights to Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand while two other airlines decided to fly at a lower altitude to avoid the cloud.

More flights could be affected in coming days as forecasters predict the ash cloud will drift north towards Melbourne and Adelaide.

Andrew Tupper of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin said it's been 20 years since ash from an erupting South American volcano reached Australia.//DPA

-- The Nation 2011-06-12