Airlines begin to suspend services to south, ash cloud moves toward BA

A number of flights to Patagonia were cancelled this morning, due to the shift in the movement of the lingering ash cloud produced by the Chilean Puyehue volcano, which is predicted to reach Buenos Aires Province over the course of the next few hours.

This morning, Lan Argentina and Aerolíneas Argentinas cancelled flights to Neuquén and Comodoro Rivadavia, even though it had been announced that services toward the south were back to normal with the mentioned airlines.

However, it was also announced that flights to Río Gallegos, Ushuaia and El Calafate this morning were successful.

At present, the activity of the ash cloud, which yesterday was affecting the northern part of Patagonia, is expected to reach the province of Buenos Aires and central zones of the country, pushed by southern winds, although its density was measured as minimal some days ago.

Due to new wind movement, the ash being produced by the ever erupting Caulle-Puyehue volcano, began affecting the Chilean area less, and returned to engulf itself over San Carlos de Bariloche, Villa la Angostura and San Martín de los Andes.

Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral airlines had stated that scheduled flights to the south are running as normal today from Ezeiza and Aeroparque. The destinations included in the announcement were Ushuaia, Río Gallegos and El Calafate.

It was also informed that, more flights would be rescheduled throughout the day, according to the movement of the ash cloud produced by the Chilean Puyehue volcano.

From 8.30 am this morning, flights to El Calafate began to run as normal after continuous cancellations due to the ash cloud, after flight 1870 departed for the stated destination.

Currently Aerolíneas Argentinas’ inbound and outbound flight services are still suspended at the following airports:  Bariloche, Chapelco, Trelew, Viedma, Ushuaia, Río Grande, Comodoro Rivadavia, Esquel, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Bahía Blanca, and Mar del Plata.

All air companies advised their customers to contact the respective airline for hourly updates on flight schedules and delays.