Volcanic Ash in Europe causing havoc with air travel

[mr_botak]

This has the potential to impact quite seriously if it comes further south as seems likely.

NATS Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thursday, April 15, 06:00
Thursday 15 Apr 2010

"NATS has restricted the number of aircraft flying into UK airspace because of an ash cloud caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft. We are monitoring the situation with the Met Office, Eurocontrol and neighbouring countries, and working closely with the airlines to help inform their decisions about their operations. Anyone planning to fly today should check with their airline before going to the airport."

[225]

Apparently all BA domestic flights are grounded and all airports could close.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201004115602425

[MAN Flyer]

Oh yes, rocked up at my Mothers this morning to take my Sister to MAN as she leaves to go and live in Sydney, and they didn't believe me when I told them they had cancelled all flights from MAN until at least 1pm. So we drove to the airport to be told to go home and call LX.....who told her to call DC...today, with the 'OMG DC is going' panic on.

Of course, as she was originally going to go yesterday but changed her mind (which is quite unusual for a woman as we know....) then this has added to the frustration. The fact that we have lovely clear blue skies here (what volcanic ash are they on about ?, and Iceland's miles away ) just adds to the fun.

I did point out they don't want to risk another Eric Moody/Jakarta incident....

[FN-GM]

Latest update: All UK Air Space is closed.

[MAN Flyer]

It's quite surreal. Normally we have a procession of aircraft up high above us here, including many widebodies heading across the pond and back. But there is not a single aircraft in the sky. Anywhere. Period.

[feb01mel]

SQ322 tonight will be cancelled, just announced on SQ's website.

Guess SQ 317 tomorrow will be severely delayed too.

[B727]

All this plus the onset of mercury retrograde this weekend

Coincidence or what?!

[Pinkfloyd]

It's quite surreal. Normally we have a procession of aircraft up high above us here, including many widebodies heading across the pond and back. But there is not a single aircraft in the sky. Anywhere. Period.

Likewise where I live in KRS (Norwegian air space shut as well). You could always tell it was lunchtime when the 12:30pm KL to AMS flew pass! Really quiet today and clear / sunny skies!

[jhm]

UK airspace closed until at least 7am tomorrow!

As somebody posted elsewhere, the volcano has done for BA what the cabin crew union couldn't!

[225]

hmmm thats a lot of back log to get through, one airline is bad enough but an entire country or three!

[jhm]

hmmm thats a lot of back log to get through, one airline is bad enough but an entire country or three!

Apparently there's a reasonable prospect that the closure will last for tomorrow (and perhaps beyond) as well!

[Pinkfloyd]

Almost all of Scandinavia is closed, with parts of France, Netherlands and probably Germany to follow... Was reading a news report in which a Professor from Iceland stated eruptions can last anywhere from a few hours to over a year!!

[225]

had friends who were flying to London via dubai last night got turned away from the check in desk and told they may get a flight on Monday or Tuesday!

[Lobster]

I'm due to fly on Sunday to the UK I hope it is sorted by then.

[MAN Flyer]

UK airspace is now closed until at least 0100 tomorrow. Bearing in mind this keeps moving you can easily see that going back as well.

My sister has just rebooked again, and they refused to offer her anything before Tuesday!. As they could only offer her a trip to SYD in Y, and as she needs the full J baggage allowance, she is now rebooked to go on Thursday.

I am on SQ327 next Wednesday and am beginning to wonder if that will be running ok by then. More importantly we have got goods we have despatched for ships in various locations around the globe stuck in airports here.