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Europe faces prolonged air chaos Europe faces prolonged air chaos
(about 1 hour later)
Flights across much of Europe are being cancelled on a second day of massive disruption caused by drifting ash ejected from a volcano in Iceland.Flights across much of Europe are being cancelled on a second day of massive disruption caused by drifting ash ejected from a volcano in Iceland.
Hundreds of thousands of passengers are affected and severe disruption could extend into the weekend, including on flights to North America and Asia.Hundreds of thousands of passengers are affected and severe disruption could extend into the weekend, including on flights to North America and Asia.
Some 5,000 flights were cancelled on Thursday as airspace from the Republic of Ireland to Finland was closed.Some 5,000 flights were cancelled on Thursday as airspace from the Republic of Ireland to Finland was closed.
The ash is not thought to pose a serious health risk to people however.The ash is not thought to pose a serious health risk to people however.
We can actually smell sulphur in the air here now from the volcano cloud Tim Farish, Oslo Volcanic ash: Your travel stories UK extends air restrictions A guide to Iceland's volcanoesWe can actually smell sulphur in the air here now from the volcano cloud Tim Farish, Oslo Volcanic ash: Your travel stories UK extends air restrictions A guide to Iceland's volcanoes
Health officials in Scotland, where the ash was expected to start falling overnight, said the concentration of particles that fell was likely to be low, and effects on people with existing respiratory conditions were "likely to be short term". Ash began falling on northern parts of Scotland overnight and particles from the Shetland Isles were being examined by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Health officials said the effects of the ash on people with existing respiratory conditions were "likely to be short term".
The UK's Met Office said any ash that did reach ground level would be barely visible.The UK's Met Office said any ash that did reach ground level would be barely visible.
UK restrictions originally in place until 1300 (1200 GMT) on Friday have been extended until at least 1900 (1800 GMT), although some exceptions may be possible in Scotland and Northern Ireland. UK flight restrictions originally in place until 1300 (1200 GMT) on Friday have been extended until at least 1900 (1800 GMT), although a few exceptions were allowed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
"In general, the situation cannot be said to be improving with any certainty," said a statement issued by the National Air Traffic Service."In general, the situation cannot be said to be improving with any certainty," said a statement issued by the National Air Traffic Service.
'Progressing very slowly''Progressing very slowly'
The European air traffic control organisation, Eurocontrol, said a lack of wind meant the ash cloud created by the volcano underneath Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull glacier was "progressing very slowly eastwards" and remained "very dense".The European air traffic control organisation, Eurocontrol, said a lack of wind meant the ash cloud created by the volcano underneath Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull glacier was "progressing very slowly eastwards" and remained "very dense".
COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: UKRepublic of IrelandNorwayDenmarkSwedenBelgiumNetherlandsFinland Partial or planned closures: France (northern airspace)Germany (northern airspace)Poland (northern airspace) COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: UKRepublic of IrelandNorwayDenmarkBelgiumNetherlandsFinlandLithuania Partial closures: Sweden (northern airspace opened Friday)France (northern airspace)Germany (northern airspace)Poland (northern airspace)
The UK, Irish Republic, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands closed their airspace on Thursday.The UK, Irish Republic, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands closed their airspace on Thursday.
France shut down 24 airports in the north of the country, including the main hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle, while Germany's Berlin and Hamburg airports were also closed on Thursday evening. Frankfurt closed on Friday morning.France shut down 24 airports in the north of the country, including the main hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle, while Germany's Berlin and Hamburg airports were also closed on Thursday evening. Frankfurt closed on Friday morning.
Qantas, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific were among long-haul airlines who have cancelled flights to Europe. Poland closed most of its airspace on Friday but kept Krakow and Rzeszow airports in the south open.
Sweden began reopening its northern airspace on Friday. Officials said restrictions further south would be lifted gradually.
Qantas, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific were among airlines who have cancelled long-haul flights to Europe.
"Our personal view is it may take until Sunday" for flights to resume, said Qantas spokesman David Epstein."Our personal view is it may take until Sunday" for flights to resume, said Qantas spokesman David Epstein.
If the disruption persists, there are fears in Poland that some world leaders will be unable to attend Sunday's state funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash last Saturday.If the disruption persists, there are fears in Poland that some world leaders will be unable to attend Sunday's state funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash last Saturday.
Several European monarchs were unable to attend 70th birthday celebrations for Denmark's Queen Margrethe, which began with a concert on Thursday.Several European monarchs were unable to attend 70th birthday celebrations for Denmark's Queen Margrethe, which began with a concert on Thursday.
For want of a plane, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was known to be driving home to Sweden from Brussels, the Associated Press news agency reports.For want of a plane, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was known to be driving home to Sweden from Brussels, the Associated Press news agency reports.
'Days or weeks''Days or weeks'
The volcano began erupting on Wednesday for the second time in a month, hurling a plume of ash 11km (seven miles) into the atmosphere. A 500m-wide fissure appeared at the top of the crater.The volcano began erupting on Wednesday for the second time in a month, hurling a plume of ash 11km (seven miles) into the atmosphere. A 500m-wide fissure appeared at the top of the crater.
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Ash spewing from the volcano in Iceland on WednesdayAsh spewing from the volcano in Iceland on Wednesday
The heat melted the surrounding ice, and witnesses say two flows of meltwater started coming off the glacier on Wednesday.The heat melted the surrounding ice, and witnesses say two flows of meltwater started coming off the glacier on Wednesday.
As many as 800 people were evacuated from their homes as water carried pieces of ice reportedly the size of small houses down the mountain. A road along the flooded Markarfljot river was also cut in several places.As many as 800 people were evacuated from their homes as water carried pieces of ice reportedly the size of small houses down the mountain. A road along the flooded Markarfljot river was also cut in several places.
On Thursday, the flooding was reported to have subsided, but the volcano was still producing ash that was being blown towards Europe.On Thursday, the flooding was reported to have subsided, but the volcano was still producing ash that was being blown towards Europe.
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Stranded passengers in Paris, Stockholm, Dublin and OsloStranded passengers in Paris, Stockholm, Dublin and Oslo
"It is likely that the production of ash will continue at a comparable level for some days or weeks. But where it disrupts travel, that depends on the weather," Einar Kjartansson, a geophysicist at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, told the Associated Press."It is likely that the production of ash will continue at a comparable level for some days or weeks. But where it disrupts travel, that depends on the weather," Einar Kjartansson, a geophysicist at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, told the Associated Press.
"It depends how the wind carries the ash.""It depends how the wind carries the ash."
The last volcanic eruption beneath the glacier was on 20 March. The eruption before that started in 1821 - and continued for two years.The last volcanic eruption beneath the glacier was on 20 March. The eruption before that started in 1821 - and continued for two years.
Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the highly volatile boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the highly volatile boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
Have you been affected by the volcanic eruption in Iceland or by disruptions to air traffic caused by volcanic ash? Send us your experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by the volcanic eruption in Iceland or by disruptions to air traffic caused by volcanic ash? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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