Jetstar has followed Qantas' lead and resumed all flights in
and out of New Zealand today as the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) says the Chilean volcano's ash cloud disruptions may
have ended here.
The resumption comes after Qantas and its budget subsidiary
Jetstar grounded scores of flights over the past two weeks
due to ash from the Chilean volcano Mt Puyehue Cordon Caulle
volcano.
Air New Zealand, which mostly kept to its schedule during
that time, said its standard schedule for all domestic and
international flights was continuing today.
CAA meteorological manager Peter Lechner said the dissipating
cloud was moving away from New Zealand and may not return.
Jetstar chief executive David Hall said the airline's
decision to keep aircraft on the ground was costly but was
based on a commitment to safety.
"The safety of our passengers, our people and our operations
is Jetstar's number one priority -- we always put safety
before schedule," he said.
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