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FCO: Australia: flight disruption due to volcanic ash cloud

21st June 2011 The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

Qantas Airways have suspended flights on 21 June. We advise all passengers to check with their airlines before going to the airport.

Airliner silhouetted against the sky. Photo by Getty Images

A volcanic ash cloud, which originated in Chile on 4 June, has caused significant disruption to air travel around Australia and New Zealand since 12 June.

Almost 100,000 passengers and 700 flights have been affected. The ash cloud is expected to continue to impact regional air travel for several more days.

We advise all passengers to check with their airlines before going to the airport.