Flights cancelled as volcano erupts in Mexico City

Three airlines cancelled flights Thursday to and from Mexico City because of ash spewing from the nearby Popocatepetl volcano, according to dpa. Airport authorities said that AmericanAir, AlaskaAir and Delta opted to limit their activity at the terminal, though "there is currently no volcanic ash" on the runways. Popocatepetl, 60 kilometres from the airport, had been letting off steam, ash and burning embers for several hours. Authorities were monitoring the eruption and ready to raise the alert level if necessary. Ash reportedly reached the southern Mexico City districts of Xochimilco and Milpa Alta, as well as several towns in Mexico state, adjacent to the capital. Authorities were monitoring the situation in the states of Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala.