Australian air services resumed in staggered phases today, as the ash plume from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Volcano in Chile moves out of Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra.

Airservices Australia, the national air traffic management agency, said that many airlines operating services in and out of Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra are expected to resume services gradually.

It however warned that flights in and out of Tasmania and New Zealand could remain disrupted as the ash moves towards the Tasman.

Tiger Airways Australia resumed most of its services today. Its domestic services in and out Adelaide, Melbourne, Tasmania and Queensland remain suspended.

Virgin Australia said that it will resume services in and out of Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

Australia's national carrier Qantas Airways said that its international services to and from Sydney and Melbourne, as well as its trans-Tasman services, will be delayed.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news