New Zealand: Flights Disrupted by Volcanic Ash from Whakaari/White Island

Flights in and out of Tauranga have resumed after volcanic ash from Whakaari/White Island caused problems.

At least 10 flights were cancelled and three delayed from the Tauranga and Rotorua airports on Thursday morning after an eruption at Whakaari.

GNS Science was currently investigating. It said last week a new vent detected on Whakaari/White Island, which has been experiencing a minor eruption, was emitting an increase in volcanic ash.

Images showed the column of smoke emitted from Whakaari growing considerably in size in the two hours to 8am.

Air New Zealand said volcanic ash had been across the flight path for both airports.

At 11.30am, it said flights had resumed and were operating as normal in and out of Tauranga.