Flights to Chile to resume

Ash erupting from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain has disrupted flights between New Zealand and Chile for about a month. Photo / supplied

Flights between Chile and New Zealand by Lan Chile Airlines will resume tomorrow for the first time since a volcanic eruption dispersed a thick ash cloud halfway around the world.

The Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile began erupting on June 4, with the initial ash plume reaching above 15,240m. It drifted across the South Atlantic, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Tasmania and to New Zealand.

Tomorrow's flight LA 801 from Santiago will land in Auckland and return to Chile in the afternoon - both flights dedicated to carrying passengers who have been stranded by the ash cloud.

From Friday, Lan will reinstate its normal daily schedule, with services from Auckland and Sydney.

The ash cloud caused major flight disruptions resulting in weeks of cancellations for Qantas and Jetstar flights throughout New Zealand and across to Australia.

- NZPA