Ash cloud: Travellers face more delays

More flights have been cancelled over ash concerns. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Thousands of travellers face more disruption today after Qantas and its budget subsidiary Jetstar cancelled all flights in and out of New Zealand because of ash from the Chilean volcano.

No international or domestic Qantas or Jetstar flights will operate from New Zealand airports today.

Jetstar did not fly yesterday, and has today grounded 30 domestic flights, 16 trans-Tasman services and one flight to Singapore.

Qantas has cancelled all trans-Tasman flights, while Pacific Blue has stopped 23 international flights to and from New Zealand.

Air New Zealand said its standard schedule for all domestic and international flights would continue as usual, by flying at a lower altitude.

Qantas said the volcanic ash from the Mt Puyehue Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile was still causing flight disruptions and because safety was the airline's first priority, numerous flights had been cancelled or rerouted to avoid the ash cloud.

No domestic flights in Australia were affected but all flights to and from New Zealand had been cancelled and in Australia all flights to and from Johannesburg, South Africa, were operating through Perth, the airline said.

The airline said it regretted the inconvenience and would offer full refunds.

Jetstar said it would contact all passengers affected by cancelled flights, and would offer refunds or rescheduled travel.

- NZPA