Volcanic disruptions

Chaos from Puyehue ash cloud highlights different airline approaches to volcanic ash exposure

The volcanic ash cloud that wrecked the plans of more than 100,000 travellers in Australia and New Zealand through June is likely just a taste of what is to come, and with a clear division between the Qantas Group and all other airlines on whether to fly or not, the confusion and irritation for travellers is also set to continue.

Whereas Qantas said it was unsafe to fly under the ash cloud, Air New Zealand drew on its vast research and work with Alaskan Airlines on operations around volcanos dating back to 1996 to continue flying without incident or damage.