A volcanic eruption in Chile has caused airlines to cancel flights into and out of the Western Australian city of Perth.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin have stopped flights to the city after deciding the ash cloud emanating from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano range was too low to avoid.
Experts assessing the eruption predict further activity in the days to come. Similar volcanic activity back in the 1920s and again in 1960 lasted months.
Virgin Australia group executive Sean Donohue said: “The ash plume is forecast to be at a lower band level of approximately 15,000ft and with this in mind, Virgin Australia will suspend all services into and out of Perth as a precautionary measure.â€
by Dinah Hatch
