Qantas cancels Melbourne flights because of ash cloud

Qantas has cancelled all its flights in and out of Melbourne, Australia, because of ash drifting from a volcano in Chile.

The airline had already cancelled flights to and from Tasmania and parts of New Zealand. Other airlines have also grounded flights in the region, stranding thousands of travellers.

Australian air traffic is managed by Airservices Australia, whose spokesman Matt Wardell told the BBC all efforts were being made to minimise the disruption.