An ash cloud from a volcano in Chile has wreaked havoc on Australian flights and prompted
the country's leading airline Qantas to cancel flights to and from the nation's biggest
airports Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ash from a volcano in Chile that erupted on
June 4 after decades lying dormant has forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights
because of the potential for ash to damage jet engines.
The cloud first affected
flights in Australia and New Zealand 10 days ago, with flights between the two countries
grounded and Qantas cancelling flights out of Melbourne, Adelaide and from the island
state of Tasmania.
Now flights have also been cancelled in and out of Sydney
and Canberra. Some international flights due to land in Sydney have been diverted
to Brisbane. The cancellations are affecting more than 200 flights and 20,000 passengers
each day.
The volcano’s impact has also been felt in Chile, Argentina and
Uruguay, where not only have flights been affected but a thick blanket of ash covers
entire villages.