PAL flights to Melbourne, Sydney ‘normal’ despite ash clouds

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Airlines has assured passengers that all flights to Melbourne and Sydney remain normal after volcanic ash clouds from Chile grounded flights in some parts of Australia.

The carrier made the announcement on Thursday, due to concerns regarding the effect of a volcanic cloud from Chile’s Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano, which erupted on June 5.

Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said PAL has been “closely monitoring” the ash cloud, which already reached some parts of New Zealand and Australia.

“Our commitment to the highest standards of safety remains a top priority. So far, the volcanic cloud movement from the volcano in Chile poses no imminent danger to our flights to Australia,” PAL said in a statement.

All PAL flights to Sydney and Melbourne remain unhampered and normal, according to PAL.

PAL is the only Philippine airline that flies to Australia daily via Sydney and Melbourne, seven times a week, using the 264-seater Airbus-340-300.

Villaluna said PAL would immediately inform its Australia-bound passengers on any disruptive effect of the volcanic cloud on the flights to Sydney and Melbourne.

Passengers are advised to visit the PAL website at www.philippineairlines.com.ph or call the PAL reservations hotline at 855-8888.