Volcanic Ash Update 4

Air New Zealand’s domestic and trans-Tasman flights continue to operate to schedule today by working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and Metservice to ensure flight paths continue to avoid areas of ash.

The airline has operated about 1,000 flights and carried more than 50,000 passengers since the ash arrived in New Zealand airspace on Sunday.

Air New Zealand General Manager Airline Operations and Safety and Chief Pilot, Captain David Morgan says, “The authorities are providing excellent information about the ash which is at high altitude and very predictable in its movement. By adjusting cruising altitudes of our aircraft we are able to continue to safely deliver customers to their destinations.

“Lower cruising altitudes mean we need to burn around 10% more fuel than normal, but we don’t believe that’s a reason to stop flying when there are perfectly safe flight paths available below the level of the ash.”

“The travelling public will be pleased to know that almost all carriers including Air New Zealand, Virgin Blue, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia X, Air Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air and others are today operating international services to and from New Zealand.

“Air New Zealand will not fly through ash and will continue to take guidance from CAA and the Metservice to ensure we can carry passengers where safe routes and altitudes are available.”