The Chairman of Qantas, Mr Leigh Clifford, today announced the appointment of Ms Corinne Namblard as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Qantas Airways Limited, with immediate effect.

Virgin Australia and Qantas Airlines have both cancelled flights in Australia as aviation in the southern hemisphere continues to be affected by volcanic ash. All flights in to and out of Sydney and Melbourne have been cancelled for the next 48 hours as ash from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile circles the earth for the second time.

Qantas has revealed it will significantly cut back expansion plans as rising fuel costs and the impact of natural disasters around the world take a toll on the airline. Alan Joyce, chief executive at the Australian flag-carrier said the airline was now planning for a 5.5 per cent growth in domestic capacity for 2011-12, compared with eight per cent previously.

Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger Airways have all cancelled flights this morning, as strong winds carry ash particles from Puyehue Volcano in Chile across the southern hemisphere. Air travel in South America also continues to be disrupted, with flights in and out of the Argentine and Uruguayan capitals cancelled.

Adding to its recent spate of safety scares and impending strikes, Qantas has been confronted with a new problem – rats in the cabin. Staff discovered five baby rats in the cabin of a Boeing 767 jet shortly before customers were due to board.

Rolls-Royce has faced its second scare within a week after a Qantas Boeing 747 bound for London was forced to shut down an engine and return to Bangkok Airport. The pilot noticed “vibration and high temperatures” in one of four engines. But the plane, carrying 308 passengers, landed safely.