ID :
190390
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 13:14
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/190390
The shortlink copeid
Flights to Tasmania, NZ still suspended
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 22 - Australia's major airlines have begun clearing the backlog of tens of thousands of stranded passengers but have cancelled flights to Tasmania and New Zealand as the volcanic ash cloud spread across the Tasman.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights were back in the air on Wednesday as mainland services returned to near normal, but flights to and from Tasmania and New Zealand remain suspended until Thursday.
There has been no disruption to Air New Zealand services, with the national carrier continuing to fly to and from Australia.
Tiger Airways said it had resumed most domestic services but cancelled 24 flights on Wednesday as a result of the cloud from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.
Airservices Australia spokesman Matt Wardell said Tasmania was likely to be affected into early Thursday while New Zealand would be hit until late in the day.
Mr Wardell said the ash cloud was in the far eastern part of Australian airspace and would be moving off into NZ airspace over the next few days.
It was unlikely but not impossible that the ash cloud could return for a third time, he said.
"The best advice from the bureau is that it would be unprecedented for it to do a third lap of the world in which it had a severe impact on Australian airspace, but that it's not impossible," Mr Wardell said.
"The volcano is still erupting so it's continuously putting more ash into the atmosphere.
"There's always the possibility that it could impact flight operations again.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation very closely indeed."
After causing mass disruptions last week, the ash cloud returned on Monday, forcing domestic air travel to a halt at Australia's major airports.
A Qantas spokeswoman said 40,000 passengers had been affected by this week's disruptions and the airline was working through the backlog by running supplementary flights.
While the impact of the disruptions caused by the cloud continue, Qantas estimates the cost up to Monday alone at about $21 million.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said he fully supported the decision by both Qantas and Jetstar to suspend flights.
"I can say there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we would be taking increased risk, we would put an increased safety burden on the operation, by trying to fly below the ash or anything like that," Mr Joyce said.
"Qantas has a high standard, that's why we have the reputation we have and we will not put safety at risk."
Air New Zealand's decision to keep flying across the Tasman earned them praise on Twitter.
"New respect for @FlyAirNZ for getting me to NZ on time despite the ash cloud - choice!" tweeted Australian Workers' Union secretary Paul Howes.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said current modelling predicted that any third pass by the cloud would be well south of Australia, more dispersed and unlikely to cause widespread disruption to aviation.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights were back in the air on Wednesday as mainland services returned to near normal, but flights to and from Tasmania and New Zealand remain suspended until Thursday.
There has been no disruption to Air New Zealand services, with the national carrier continuing to fly to and from Australia.
Tiger Airways said it had resumed most domestic services but cancelled 24 flights on Wednesday as a result of the cloud from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.
Airservices Australia spokesman Matt Wardell said Tasmania was likely to be affected into early Thursday while New Zealand would be hit until late in the day.
Mr Wardell said the ash cloud was in the far eastern part of Australian airspace and would be moving off into NZ airspace over the next few days.
It was unlikely but not impossible that the ash cloud could return for a third time, he said.
"The best advice from the bureau is that it would be unprecedented for it to do a third lap of the world in which it had a severe impact on Australian airspace, but that it's not impossible," Mr Wardell said.
"The volcano is still erupting so it's continuously putting more ash into the atmosphere.
"There's always the possibility that it could impact flight operations again.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation very closely indeed."
After causing mass disruptions last week, the ash cloud returned on Monday, forcing domestic air travel to a halt at Australia's major airports.
A Qantas spokeswoman said 40,000 passengers had been affected by this week's disruptions and the airline was working through the backlog by running supplementary flights.
While the impact of the disruptions caused by the cloud continue, Qantas estimates the cost up to Monday alone at about $21 million.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said he fully supported the decision by both Qantas and Jetstar to suspend flights.
"I can say there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we would be taking increased risk, we would put an increased safety burden on the operation, by trying to fly below the ash or anything like that," Mr Joyce said.
"Qantas has a high standard, that's why we have the reputation we have and we will not put safety at risk."
Air New Zealand's decision to keep flying across the Tasman earned them praise on Twitter.
"New respect for @FlyAirNZ for getting me to NZ on time despite the ash cloud - choice!" tweeted Australian Workers' Union secretary Paul Howes.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said current modelling predicted that any third pass by the cloud would be well south of Australia, more dispersed and unlikely to cause widespread disruption to aviation.
