US airlines cancel flights to Mexico due to volcano

At least six US airlines cancelled more than 40 flights into and out of Mexico Cityand Toluca airports Thursday after the Popocatepetl volcano spewed out ash, steam and glowing rocks, airport officials said.

Mexico City airport spokesman Jorge Gomez saidUS Airways, Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines cancelled 47 flights as a precaution. But he said the airport otherwise continues to operate normally and that by Thursday afternoon no ashhad reached the area, about 40 miles (70 kilometers) from the volcano. 

Gomez said that among the routes affected by the cancelations were flights to Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles.  At nearby Toluca airport, Spirit Airlines canceled flights from Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, said spokesman Alejandro Munoz.  The airport, about 35 miles (60 kilometers) from Mexico City, also continued to operate normally, Munoz said.