Volcanic Ash Cloud Closes air space across Northern Europe
TRAVEL CRITIC
Yet another set back for northern European air travellers, this time not caused by strike or human intervention, but by the collaboration of the Volcano in Iceland Eyjafjallajokull Spewing laver and chocking ash into the air and the wind
A huge Volcanic Dust Cloud originating from Iceland is causing havoc across northern Europe, thousands of flights have been cancelled, delayed or detoured due to the Cloud of Volcanic Dust.
British Air space is closed, and is not due to reopen until at least 7am Saturday Morning. All of UK’s commercial flights from London Heathrow have been grounded about 840 Flights affecting over 180,000 passengers and over 120,000 passengers have been affected at Gatwick.
Earlier this week on Thursday flights in Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Russia were also affected
It is difficult to predict the duration of both the air space closures and the cloud cover.
A lot depends on whether the volcano continues to produce ash and whether the wind continues to carry that ash towards Europe.
Volcanology expert professor Chris MacLeod, of Cardiff University, told Sky News: “The last recorded eruption of Eyjafjallajokull lasted over a year (1821-1823) but we don’t know if it was as intense as this eruption.”
He added: “It’s difficult to say how long the eruption and consequential flight disruption will go on for.
“The Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland eruption in 2004 lasted four days but it’s possible it could go on for quite some time - maybe a week or two - before the ash plume fully disperses.
He added: “Even if the eruptions stopped now, it’s not going to clear up within the next 24 hours. I suspect flights could be grounded for some time.”
Its hard to plan for such disruptions such as Volcanic dust clouds grounding your flight and putting a stop on your Holiday or travel plans, and a lot of travel insurance policies do not cover Volcanic eruptions, and even if the Flight costs are refunded or rebooked the cost of unused Hotels and Hostels accommodation at your holiday destination are not covered.
At least one good news and ironic fact is that Icelandic Air space is still open, the reason being the cloud is drifting south and Icelandic flights usually fly north, so there are not any real dangers for flights leaving and arriving into Reykjavik and other cities in Iceland, from Asia and Far East.
Other benefactors of the cancelled and delayed flights in UK and across europe are Hotels accommodation near the airports that are now nearly fully booked with delayed passengers and Euro Star Rail from London which is also almost fully booked for the whole weekend and Euro Rail and TGV in France who have seen a massive increase in customers.
Posted on: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm 
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