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Popocatepetl volcano causes Mexico flight chaos Popocatepetl volcano causes more Mexico flight chaos
(about 13 hours later)
US airlines have cancelled dozens of flights into Mexico City over fears that ash from a rumbling volcano would affect their planes. US airlines have cancelled flights into and out of Mexico City for a second day over fears that ash from a rumbling volcano could affect their planes.
Delta and American were among the airlines cancelling more than 40 flights into the capital on Thursday. Delta and United Airlines were among the companies that stopped at least a dozen flights on Friday.
On Thursday, more than 40 flights were cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Popocatepetl volcano has been rumbling all year, and began spewing ash and steam earlier in the week.Popocatepetl volcano has been rumbling all year, and began spewing ash and steam earlier in the week.
Airport authorities insisted there was no danger, and the US airlines said they had resumed flights on Friday. Airport authorities insisted there was no danger.
An unnamed airport spokesman told AFP news agency: "There is a very thin presence of ash, which does not harm operations or affect equipment." An unnamed airport official told the AFP news agency: "There is a very thin presence of ash, which does not harm operations or affect equipment."
US Airways, Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines cancelled flights on Thursday before returning to their normal schedules on Friday. But Jorge Andres Gomez, a spokesman for the airport, said any change in the wind or intensity of the volcano would complicate the situation.
Precaution
US Airways, Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines all cancelled flights on Thursday.
The routes affected by the cancellations were flights to Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles.The routes affected by the cancellations were flights to Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles.
American said in a statement that it had taken the action as a precaution.American said in a statement that it had taken the action as a precaution.
"We are closely monitoring the situation in Mexico City as volcanic ash continues to be emitted from Popocatepetl," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller."We are closely monitoring the situation in Mexico City as volcanic ash continues to be emitted from Popocatepetl," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.
Mexican airlines continued to fly into the airport as scheduled.Mexican airlines continued to fly into the airport as scheduled.
The authorities have established a 7 mile (11 km) no-go zone around the volcano, which lies 40 miles south-east of the airport. Most operations were getting back to normal later on Friday, officials said.
Popocatepetl has been spewing ash and a fountain of hot rock since May, and the alert level is currently set one notch below evacuation level. The authorities established an 11-km (seven-mile) no-go zone around the volcano, which lies 70km (40 miles) south-east of the airport.
Several tremors were reported around the volcano on Thursday, but officials said they had no immediate plans to raise the alert level. Popocatepetl, which is 5,452m (17,900ft) high, has intensified in activity since May, and the alert level is currently set one notch below evacuation level.
Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Centre reported tremors and columns of ash and vapour at Popocatepetl on Friday.
It advised people living around the volcano to take precautions such as using masks, covering water supplies and staying indoors.