“The volcano is still erupting so it‘s not ’this is it, it is all over,‘ ”said Sommer, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.“ We will continue to monitor it until the volcano stops erupting and the ash cloud has dissipated and we can be certain there are no safety problems.”
Qantas Airways resumed flights into Melbourne Monday afternoon, while Virgin Australia began flying into several airports earlier Monday after the two airlines canceled numerous flights over the weekend.
“Qantas will continue to monitor the movement of the ash cloud and assess its impact on flight operations,” the airline said in a statement. However, Qantas canceled flights to Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Tasmania and New Zealand Monday because of the ash cloud, which drifted from South America after the volcano in Chile erupted.
Air New Zealand said it continued all its flights, but has altered paths and altitudes to avoid the ash.
“The extra distance involved required the use of 10% more fuel, but has meant customers were able to safely get to where they needed to go,” said David Morgan, Air New Zealand’s chief pilot and general manager for airline operations and safety.
Argentina‘s two largest airports have also suspended flights Sunday as they too were plagued by ash from the Chilean volcano.
(아주경제 앤드류 이 기자)
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