Emirates cancels Pacific flights over Chilean ash plume

Dubai-based carrier cancels two flights scheduled for today after ash plume drifts across the Pacific.

A view of the ash plume from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano chain near the mountain resort San Martin de Los Andes in Argentina's Patagonia June 11, 2011. The flights heading to the centre and to the north of the country were resumed of Friday, but those heading to the Patagonian and the Southern region have not been normalized yet. REUTERS/Patricio Rodriguez (ARGENTINA - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT) *** Local Caption ***  BAS06_CHILE-VOLCANO_0611_11.JPG
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Dubai-based carrier Emirates has cancelled two flights scheduled for today after ash plumes from eruptions from Chile's Puyehue Cordon Caulle volcano drifted across the Pacific.

Video: Volcanic ash threatens Chile waterways

Last Updated: June 12, 2011 UAE

A Chilean river bursts its banks, as ash from Saturday's volcanic eruption clogs waterways.

Flights EK418 and EK419 between Sydney and Christchurch have been cancelled, according to the carrier’s website.

Strong winds have carried the ash clouds some 9,400 kilometres to New Zealand and they are now moving towards Australia.  The Chilean volcano erupted more than a week ago, prompting airlines to ground dozens of flights.

Travellers have been asked to check their carrier's websites for updates.