11 Aug 2012

Australia to meet cost of winter flight to Antarctica

10:43 am on 11 August 2012

The Australian Antarctic Division will foot the bill for a winter flight to the continent to rescue an American scientist.

He was airlifted from McMurdo station after falling ill and taken to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Thursday where the ABC reports he is in a stable condition.

AAD chief Tony Fleming said good weather and teamwork made for a smooth rescue.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke says the trip was a great example of cooperation between Antarctic nations.