Updated on
Summary The volcanic ash erupting from Chile's Puyehue volcano has reached the other side of the Pacific.
The volcano started spewing last week and strong winds carried the ash some 9,400 kilometres across the Pacific to New Zealand.Ash prompted Australian airline Qantas to ground some domestic flights and travel to and from New Zealand on Sunday, after plumes drifted across the Pacific.Australian airline Qantas cancelled all flights to and from the southeastern island of Tasmania and services from Sydney and Melbourne to Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington in neighbouring New Zealand, a spokeswoman said.At this stage its only for today, the spokesman said, adding that so far some 1,500 passengers had been affected.Were monitoring the situation and working closely with the authorities, she said. The airline is expected to issue an update later Sunday.
