Tonga airport runway being cleared of ash as Australian planes ready to depart

NZ defence minister says dust from volcano eruption is being removed by hand because equipment was damaged or destroyed

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Two Royal Australian Air Force planes are ready to depart for Tonga as soon as conditions allow, with the flights waiting for ash to be removed from the Pacific nation's airport runway.

New Zealand's defence minister, Peeni Henare, said he was informed the Tongans were redoubling their efforts to clear the runway and have it operational by midday to early afternoon on Thursday.