Volcano ash travel chaos on the way

Photo / NASA

Ash clouds from a Chilean volcano look likely to cause more travel chaos in the coming week.

The fine particles that forced airlines to cancel dozens of flights this week have dispersed, allowing airlines to clear a passenger backlog. But the volcano in the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain continues to erupt, forming new clouds.

Civil Aviation Authority's Peter Lechner said an incoming cloud could arrive over Fiordland late today.

The ash is 4 to 5km above sea level, the same height as this week. He said there was no sign of an end to flight disruptions.