Volcanic Ash Cloud Causes European Air Travel Chaos

[astral]

20th April

Some activity, but this picture from the Flight Explorer site shows how little.

Flights in the ash zone are operating at 10,000ft under Visual Flight Rules

[Basil B]

I do not suppose there will be any assistance coming from Iceland for stranded passengers worldwide???

It is their Volcano

[zorro1]

European airport start to reopen for flights

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8631238.stm

[tso310]

Flights between Glasgow and the Shetlands have restarted.

[mrdome]

German airspace closed until 2pm local time, flights only possible with special permission. Looks like the embargo is being "Swiss-cheesed" by the airlines who have had enough of this.

German pilot association "cockpit" has criticized these special flights, saying government caved in to airline demands just as the data from the scientific test flights was finally being gathered.

Edited April 20, 2010 by mrdome

[tso310]

A little light hearted interlude for you..

whats the difference between an Icelandic Volcano and Cheryl Cole?

The volcano is still blowing ash..

[webfact]

EUROCONTROL: Lufthansa says all long-haul flights as well as some intra-european and will take place.

[webfact]

EUROCONTROL LIVE from press briefing:

situation has significantly changed since yesterday

safe for passengers? Absolutely safe, zoning allows to be more flexible but safety remains priority for all partners

EUROCONTROL proposes a restricted zone for aviation authorities and partners but States and airlines take decision in the end

the map presented is for the next 12h so cloud doesn't move substantially fast and the buffer area has been calculated for min. risk

no traces found in flights flying in intermediate zone only risk model showed potential risk

if other eruption, same model? Meteorological conditions are different, so any eruption would have diff. consequences

if other eruption, everybody much more prepared. Was there mess as IATA mentions? Catastrophic situation, not mess...

contd. situation today 75% of landmass in Eur open to flights, so hopefully up to 60% of flights operating, as demonstrated by map

more sophisticated map developed (will link to it asap) with projection of lower/higher levels of contam. + buffer areas

ECL proposes that no flights fly in the buffer area, but can fly above it

in case of emergency, can flights fly through buffer? Yes, developed along intl safety standards to minimise risk

Press briefing with Brian Flynn, Dep. Hd Operations ECL is now over - thanks for following!

[katana]

Examples of previous volcanic ash clouds affecting flights: came across this one in 1982, a BA 747 flight from Malaysia to Australia lost power in all 4 engines at 37k ft when it flew into an ash cloud.

More here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8622099.stm

[webfact]

EUROCONTROL:

UPDATE: Air traffic control services available again in the entire Maastricht UAC airspace see http://ow.ly/1ACRR

[FatherF]

London Heathrow & Gatwick Airports stating no flights today, will review at 15:00 GMT

FF

[Humphrey Bear]

Examples of previous volcanic ash clouds affecting flights: came across this one in 1982, a BA 747 flight from Malaysia to Australia lost power in all 4 engines at 37k ft when it flew into an ash cloud.

More here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8622099.stm

That is the Speedbird 9 flight that is the basis of this whole shutdown.

Other flights have been affected, but many flights have successfully travelled near/through volcanic ash clouds without apparent harm.

This is a safety precaution (to protect the expensive aircraft, not the passengers). Turbines these days are very expensive, very delicate machines. But in normal circumstances they function well, so it is wise to take precautions.

It is just the level of precautions that one needs to take that is the discussion point.

[quiksilva]

NATS

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 0900

The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation today will continue to be variable.

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1300-1900 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

Overnight the CAA, in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK; between 1300-1900 this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change during the course of the day. We will make a further statement at approximately 1500.

NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace.

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

Heathrow

Flights suspended until further notice

Last updated: 09:55 BST, Tuesday 20 April 2010

Based on advice from NATS, all flights to and from Heathrow remain suspended until further notice.

We continue to strongly advise passengers that they must check the status of their flight with airlines before travelling to airports, and thank passengers for their continued patience during these difficult times.

[webfact]

Thaivisa News: THAI announced it will resume flights to Zurich tonight, and may also resume flights to Stockholm and Oslo, after European airspace is gradually reopened

[MB1]

From BA Website, statement 09:05am UK/GMT

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/volca...no_home_bannerc

"Following the latest information from National Air Traffic Services about the path of the volcanic ash affecting UK airspace, we regret we will not be able to operate any shorthaul flights on Tuesday 20 April.

We were planning to operate shorthaul flights scheduled to depart from 7pm, but these have now been cancelled.

We are still hoping to operate longhaul flights which are scheduled to depart after 4pm on Tuesday 20 April, however this remains subject to the full and permanent opening of airspace.

Customers should check their exact flight details on ba.com before departing for the airport.

We realise this is disappointing for customers, however the circumstances are outside of all airlines' control.

Customers booked to travel on a cancelled flight can claim a full refund or rebook their flight for a later date."

It seems according to BBC news 11am, the situation has got worse for the UK due to another ash cloud now heading towards UK, BBC News says Glasgow Airspace due to close at 1pm UK time/GMT today.

Edited April 20, 2010 by MB1

[Lotusbluete]

From the homepage of the second largest German airline, Air Berlin:

On Monday, 19th April 2010, Air Berlin resumed its long-haul and medium-haul flights, as well as its German domestic operations.

These flights have been made possible since DFS (Deutsche Flugsicherung) and LBA (German Federal Aviation Office) have decided that controlled VFR passenger flights can be resumed in Germany. If there is no change in weather conditions, this procedure will also be applied to Air Berlin’s schedule tomorrow.

[tso310]

UK airspace is open above 20,000ft. Flight from Glasgow to Reykavik has just taken off. Current radar map shows quite alot of traffic over France Germany Holland and Belgium.

[lassebasse]

I think something strange is going on. Last nite I did not fly from Bangkok to Stockholm, Sweden with Thai since the flight was cancelled and they have put up signs saying it will be cancelled for another 2 days. However had I been booked with SAS I would have been in Stockholm according to schedule (about the same as Thai) and according to SAS flightplanner they will fly tonite also.

Are Thai playing it safe and rerouting everything to Rome and Madrid?

[webfact]

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

Special flights to assist affected passengers

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International from tonight will resume scheduled daily flights for Bangkok-Zurich and vice versa, as flights have resumed in some European countries where airspace has reopened, such as Zurich, Switzerland.

Additional flights have been arranged for Bangkok-Rome v.v. and Bangkok-Madrid v.v.

In addition to regular flights to Rome on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, THAI also adds special flights. The daily special flights will be operated during April 19-28. From six flights a week to and from Madrid, special six weekly flights are arranged during April 22-28.

Passengers who are Thai nationals in the United Kingdom needing to travel on a THAI flight via EU countries to Thailand may contact the THAI Sales Office in the UK which will assist in coordinating with the Embassy to issue a travel visa through the EU country.

Passengers may call the THAI Contact Centre in Bangkok to check flight information and make reservations at 02-356-1111 (24 hours), fax. 02-356-2222, Email : [email protected]. com, website : www.thaiairways . com , or contact the THAI Sales Offices in Europe in order to re-book travel for passengers whose flights have been cancelled and need to change flight routing. THAI will waive all fees for changing flight route or issuance of a new ticket from Europe to Thailand and from Thailand to Europe for THAI ticket holders. Passengers are advised that the listing of passengers for travel is based on reservation sequence.

-- The Nation 2010-04-20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[mrdome]

German airports to remain officially closed until 8pm local time - special permit flights are allowed to operate

Lufthansa plans 200 flights today.

[eurasianthai]

My daughter was supposed to go back to Paris last Saturday and the best TG could give me today is a waiting list flight on Sunday evening. Another 5 days.

And confirmed flights beginning of May.

Talk about contigency measures.

Edited April 20, 2010 by eurasianthai

[MB1]

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 1500pm GMT

http://www.nats.co.uk/index.html

The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation will continue to be variable.

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish and Northern Irish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1900 today to 0100 tomorrow, Wednesday 21 April, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Glasgow and Teesside airports will additionally become available in this time period. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

Flights above the ash cloud are now permitted in the UK; between 1900 today and 0100 tomorrow, this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change during the course of the day. We will make a further statement at approximately 2100 today.

British Airways statement:

Last updated 13:45 - 20 April 2010

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/volca...no_home_bannerc

Following the latest information from NATS (National Air Traffic Service) about the path of the volcanic ash affecting UK airspace, we regret we have:

cancelled all shorthaul flights on Tuesday 20 April

cancelled all longhaul flights, departing from the UK, Tuesday 20 April

cancelled longhaul flights, arriving into the UK, before 12:00 UK local time Wednesday 21 April

How can Britons stranded by the volcanic ash get home? Click on link below.

Page last updated 13:17pm GMT.

Also just been reported on television by BBC news that British Government are organising a fleet of 150 coaches from Spain to transport stranded passegers to channel ports and are advising stranded passengers in Asia, Africa and America to travel to Spain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8629392.stm

Edited April 20, 2010 by MB1

[steve187]

My daughter was supposed to go back to Paris last Saturday and the best TG could give me today is a waiting list flight on Sunday evening. Another 5 days.

And confirmed flights beginning of May.

Talk about contigency measures.

why not try to get your daughter on a Zurich flight. I know its not Paris but somewhere near this week, must be better than maybe Sunday or even next month.

[MB1]

The UK Foreign Office has now set up a helpline for those stranded overseas: +44 207 008 0000.

Good luck on getting through to them.

Cruise ship Celebrity Eclipse is heading from Southampton to Bilbao to pick up about 2,000 British tourists.

How can Britons stranded by the volcanic ash get home? Click on link below.

Page last updated 14:52pm GMT.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8629392.stm

"SPANISH AIRPORT HUB

British Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant is heading to Spain, to oversee an operation to bring home Britons stranded by the suspension on flights.

Spain has set itself up as an international hub for British travellers who are stuck in other parts of the world.

It is unaffected by the volcanic cloud, meaning its airports can receive flights from the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Britons arriving on flights from outside Europe to the hub in Madrid will be transferred by coach and rail to ports in northern France.

British civil servants are heading to Spain and France to help staff reception centres for those requiring help.

The FCO asked people to stay where they are and stay in contact with their airlines. It warned that it could be a number of weeks before everyone who is stranded can be repatriated."

Edited April 20, 2010 by MB1

[Orac]

They are going to need more boats at this rate - 18 BA flights inbound, including one from BKK, have been diverted to Madrid, Barcelona and Nice.

[somchai69]

Additional flights have been arranged for Bangkok-Rome v.v. and Bangkok-Madrid v.v.

In addition to regular flights to Rome on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, THAI also adds special flights. The daily special flights will be operated during April 19-28. From six flights a week to and from Madrid, special six weekly flights are arranged during April 22-28.

I wonder how THAI thinks flights to Madrid and Rome will really help the passengers,

particularly those trying to reach the UK.................

The ferries to the UK are fully booked until May.

A UK warship had to evacuate soldiers from Santander, Spain, who were returning from duty in Iraq.

The Navy also picked up a small number of stranded tourists.

Taxis are charging as much as 2000 euros to tke people from Madrid to Calais.

Passengers who are Thai nationals in the United Kingdom needing to travel on a THAI flight via EU countries to Thailand may contact the THAI Sales Office in the UK which will assist in coordinating with the Embassy to issue a travel visa through the EU country.

Good news for Thai nationals, but not much help to others

[tso310]

They are going to need more boats at this rate - 18 BA flights inbound, including one from BKK, have been diverted to Madrid, Barcelona and Nice.

Not entirely true @19:00 BST. Still a number of flights on track to LHR. Seems to be a poker game going on between NATS and BA. Currently on a flight btracker one flight is circling over the Irish sea. BA38 from Beijing is just passing AMS heading for LHR.

Also Eazyjet is currently performing a test flight.

[Orac]

They are going to need more boats at this rate - 18 BA flights inbound, including one from BKK, have been diverted to Madrid, Barcelona and Nice.

Not entirely true @19:00 BST. Still a number of flights on track to LHR. Seems to be a poker game going on between NATS and BA. Currently on a flight btracker one flight is circling over the Irish sea. BA38 from Beijing is just passing AMS heading for LHR.

Also Eazyjet is currently performing a test flight.

just heard on Sky News that BA have backed down and are diverting all aircraft now

[MB1]

They are going to need more boats at this rate - 18 BA flights inbound, including one from BKK, have been diverted to Madrid, Barcelona and Nice.

Not entirely true @19:00 BST. Still a number of flights on track to LHR. Seems to be a poker game going on between NATS and BA. Currently on a flight btracker one flight is circling over the Irish sea. BA38 from Beijing is just passing AMS heading for LHR.

Also Eazyjet is currently performing a test flight.

Looks like BA are trying to get NATS/CAA to back down in a game of bluff, watching BBC News 24 and has just said that 2 of the flights have been diverted and no flights will land at Heathrow nor will permission be granted, looks like BA have lost the game and their chips.

Edited April 20, 2010 by MB1

[tso310]

There's still some BA flights circling over the Irish sea and the West coast of Ireland. BA38 now appears to be heading for Amsterdam and the Houston flight looks like its going to MAD..

The Eazyjet flight went from Luton, flew over Liverpool and is nearly back at Luton. Colusion between Eazyjet and BA. If the Eazyjet a/c can takeoff and land why cannot the BA a/c land ?