Gold Alert - Ash Cloud returns to New Zealand Airspace 29 June

URGENT COMMUNICATION CHILEAN ASH CLOUD DISRUPTS NEW ZEALAND SERVICES UPDATE : 10.30am, 29 JUNE 2011

Just when we’d hoped we’d seen the last of the Chilean Ash Cloud we regret to report it is once again disrupting flights to, from and within New Zealand. Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from both Christchurch and Queenstown are being cancelled today. Further changes are likely to eventuate as the ash cloud continues to move.   The Goldman Travel team have run various reports and our clients travel plans today have not been disrupted. As the situation will continue to evolve today and possibly into the coming days we will of course continue to monitor our travellers and keep you informed.    Please see below for a snapshot of the current situation sorted by airline for your information. Qantas – as of 9.00am Wednesday 29 June, Qantas advised the following: Domestic services All domestic services are operating as scheduled.  International services Flights to and from Queenstown are suspended until further notice Flights to and from Christchurch are suspended from 2:00pm local time All other NZ flights are operating as normal QF17 from Sydney to Buenos Aires is now delayed 28 hours. QF18 from Buenos Aires to Sydney is now delayed 30 hours and 35 mins and will operate via Papeete, Tahiti. All other international services are operating as scheduled. Please visit http://www.qantas.com.au/ for more information and updates. Jetstar – as of 9.00am Wednesday 29 June, Jetstar has advised the following: All services to/from Queenstown today are cancelled. In addition, services to/from Christchurch between 12 noon and 3pm (local NZ time) have also been cancelled. All other New Zealand domestic, Australian domestic, Trans-Tasman and international services continue to operate as normal. Please visit http://www.jetstar.com.au/ for more information and updates, including a full list of cancelled flights. Virgin Australia – as of 8.00am Wednesday 29 June, Virgin Australia advised that the Virgin Australia Group of Airlines has resumed scheduled services from all domestic and international airports, including New Zealand airports. Please visit http://www.virginaustralia.com.au/ for further updates. Air New Zealand – as of 9.00am (NZT) Wednesday 29 June, Air New Zealand advised it was operating to standard schedules for all domestic and international ports.  Please visit http://www.airnewzealand.com.au/ for further information and updates. Tiger Airways – is not reporting any disruption at this time via its website, please visit http://www.tigerairways.com/ for further updates and information.