LAN Airlines has confirmed a temporary flight schedule between Australia and Chile until next Monday, 27 June, in response to continuing uncertainty about volcanic ash cloud in New Zealand airspace.
From now until Monday, 27 June, LAN will suspend flight LA 800, its daily Sydney-Auckland-Santiago service.
Instead, it will operate an alternative flight, LA 804, from Sydney to Santiago, via Papeete, French Polynesia. This service will depart Sydney at 2.50pm on Saturday 25 June and Monday 27 June, arriving in Santiago at 9.20pm local time the same day. Flights beyond these dates will be advised as soon as possible.
For passengers travelling from Chile to Australia, LAN also will suspend flight LA 801, its daily Santiago – Auckland-Sydney service until Saturday evening, 25 June, Santiago time.
Instead, the airline will operate temporary flight LA 805 from Santiago to Sydney via Papeete, departing at 10.50pm on Thursday , 23 June and Saturday, 25 June, arriving in Sydney at 10.50am on Saturday 25 June and Monday 27 June.
Papeete will be used for a technical stop only. Passengers cannot disembark or join the flight there.
Passengers seeking to fly on the services via Papeete must have either an Australian passport or a current Australian visa.
LAN apologises for the disruption to passengers' travel plans, and will advise as soon as possible when normal services will resume.
For further information in Australia, consumers should call 1 800 558 129.