Chile volcano: NZ flights cancelled over ash fears

Flights to and from Tasmania and parts of New Zealand have been cancelled as ash from a volcano erupting in Chile drifts across the region.

Australian airline Qantas cancelled 22 flights to New Zealand's South Island and Tasmania on Sunday.
A spokeswoman said it was "just too dangerous" to fly through the ash, while other airlines said they were changing flights paths to avoid it.
The Puyehue-Cordon-Caulle volcano has been erupting for more than a week.
The fine particles of ash it has been emitting - which can seriously damage aircraft engines - have drifted eastwards towards Asia at between 6,000 and 10,600m (20,000 and 35,000ft).
New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority warned that the ash was expected to be detected at the cruising level of aircraft but had not yet been seen below 20,000ft.
"Given that the volcanic activity is continuing, it is expected that New Zealand airspace may be affected by these plumes for at least a week," it said in a statement.
Qantas said it had grounded 14 flights in and out of Tasmania on Sunday and eight flights to Australia and the New Zealand cities of Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Budget Australian airline Jetstar cancelled 48 internal and connecting flights in the Australian island state of Tasmania and in New Zealand.
New Zealand Air and Virgin said none of their flights had been cancelled but that its aircraft would be flying below 5,800m (18,000ft) or would change routes to avoid the ash.
The volcano has already caused severe disruption to flights in South America, with planes grounded for several days in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
It is the first serious eruption of the volcano chain since 1960, when the area was hit by a massive earthquake.
Thousands of people are living in temporary shelters after being evacuated from the area around the volcano.


Chile volcano: NZ flights cancelled over ash fears