Australian airlines to resume flights to New Zealand

Sydney: Airlines say they plan to resume flights between Australia and New Zealand after a five-day suspension of services caused by volcanic ash from Chile.

Flag carrier Qantas, its budget subsidiary Jetstar and their rival Virgin Australia say they will restart the flights on Monday to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.

The three airlines made the announcements Sunday in statements posted on their websites.

Ash plumes from Chile's Cordon Caulle volcano traveled all the way to Australia and New Zealand two weeks ago, forcing hundreds of flights to be canceled.

Some normalcy was restored a few days later but the ash came back last week, forcing many cancellations on Wednesday.

Volcanic ash can damage airplane equipment and stall jet engines.