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| Stranded Britons face air chaos | Stranded Britons face air chaos |
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| The UK is enduring a fourth day as a virtual no-fly zone due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland, leaving Britons stranded around the world. | The UK is enduring a fourth day as a virtual no-fly zone due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland, leaving Britons stranded around the world. |
| Flight restrictions have been extended until at least 0100 BST on Monday and forecasters say the ash cloud could remain over the UK for many more days. | Flight restrictions have been extended until at least 0100 BST on Monday and forecasters say the ash cloud could remain over the UK for many more days. |
| Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said he wanted flights to resume as soon as possible but safety came first. | Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said he wanted flights to resume as soon as possible but safety came first. |
| He added: "The forecast for tomorrow is not encouraging." | He added: "The forecast for tomorrow is not encouraging." |
| Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears that particles in the ash cloud generated by the volcanic eruption could cause engines to shut down. | Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears that particles in the ash cloud generated by the volcanic eruption could cause engines to shut down. |
| COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday)Norway (limited flights in north)Spain (northern airports closed) Flights operating: Greece, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine Live: Volcano cloud over Europe In pictures: Flight disruption Economic impact of closures | COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday)Norway (limited flights in north)Spain (northern airports closed) Flights operating: Greece, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine Live: Volcano cloud over Europe In pictures: Flight disruption Economic impact of closures |
| Lord Adonis said: "I am in constant contact with both the Met Office and Nats [National Air Traffic Service]. They are continuing to work with airlines to ensure they are ready to fully exploit any respite in conditions which could allow some flights to operate." | |
| He said further test flights will take place in the UK to help understand the extent of the impact of the ash cloud. | He said further test flights will take place in the UK to help understand the extent of the impact of the ash cloud. |
| "I wish to establish, as a matter of urgency, whether some safe flight paths can be identified and opened up to flights within the area affected by ash." | |
| He also said "urgent discussions" were taking place between European and international agencies to ease the chaos. | |
| The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned airlines would lose at least $200m (£130m) per day in revenues during the disruption. | The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned airlines would lose at least $200m (£130m) per day in revenues during the disruption. |
| Dutch airline KLM and German airline Lufthansa have carried out test flights in their countries' airspace to see if it is safe for planes to fly. | Dutch airline KLM and German airline Lufthansa have carried out test flights in their countries' airspace to see if it is safe for planes to fly. |
| KLM said its aircraft had been able to fly at its normal operating altitude of 13km (8 miles) over Dutch skies and no problems had been reported. | KLM said its aircraft had been able to fly at its normal operating altitude of 13km (8 miles) over Dutch skies and no problems had been reported. |
| The plane's engines are being inspected for possible damage, with a view to getting permission from the aviation authorities to start up operations again. | The plane's engines are being inspected for possible damage, with a view to getting permission from the aviation authorities to start up operations again. |
| AT THE SCENE Lorna Gordon, BBC News, Iceland | AT THE SCENE Lorna Gordon, BBC News, Iceland |
| In some small areas the volcanic fallout has been significant. It is clogging car engines, turning grass grey and reducing visibility to just a few metres. | In some small areas the volcanic fallout has been significant. It is clogging car engines, turning grass grey and reducing visibility to just a few metres. |
| The police say driving conditions can be very difficult in these places. I heard one tale recounting that the moment you drive into the ash cloud it can feel as if you are driving into a wall. | The police say driving conditions can be very difficult in these places. I heard one tale recounting that the moment you drive into the ash cloud it can feel as if you are driving into a wall. |
| The affected area is remote with only a few hundred people, most of them living in isolated homes and many of them farmers. They have been advised to stay inside with the windows and doors shut and if they do venture out to wear goggles and a mask. | The affected area is remote with only a few hundred people, most of them living in isolated homes and many of them farmers. They have been advised to stay inside with the windows and doors shut and if they do venture out to wear goggles and a mask. |
| Despite the hazards the volcano and its column of smoke are drawing visitors. They are also triggering lightning. The authorities are having to remind people they should not consider the volcano a tourist attraction. In fact, they have closed the country's ring road in the area affected to all but locals and the emergency services. | Despite the hazards the volcano and its column of smoke are drawing visitors. They are also triggering lightning. The authorities are having to remind people they should not consider the volcano a tourist attraction. In fact, they have closed the country's ring road in the area affected to all but locals and the emergency services. |
| "We have found nothing unusual, neither during the flight, nor during the first inspection on the ground," KLM chief executive Peter Hartman, who took part in his airline's test, said in a statement. | "We have found nothing unusual, neither during the flight, nor during the first inspection on the ground," KLM chief executive Peter Hartman, who took part in his airline's test, said in a statement. |
| Lufthansa said it flew 10 planes from Frankfurt to Munich at heights of up to 8km (5 miles). Air France is to conduct a test flight over south western France later on Sunday. | Lufthansa said it flew 10 planes from Frankfurt to Munich at heights of up to 8km (5 miles). Air France is to conduct a test flight over south western France later on Sunday. |
| BBC business editor Robert Peston said the disruption risked becoming a "major business and economic disaster". | BBC business editor Robert Peston said the disruption risked becoming a "major business and economic disaster". |
| He said a number of European airlines were facing financial difficulties. | He said a number of European airlines were facing financial difficulties. |
| Our correspondent said: "If [the disruption] goes on many days longer, a number of European airlines will run into financial difficulties and may need bailing out by governments - or so I am told by senior airline figures." | Our correspondent said: "If [the disruption] goes on many days longer, a number of European airlines will run into financial difficulties and may need bailing out by governments - or so I am told by senior airline figures." |
| The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday, when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting. | The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday, when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting. |
| Cassandra Williams, who had been expecting to start her new job as a head teacher in Norfolk on Monday, is stuck in Hong Kong. | Cassandra Williams, who had been expecting to start her new job as a head teacher in Norfolk on Monday, is stuck in Hong Kong. |
| EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternatives Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Robert Peston's blog | EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternatives Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Robert Peston's blog |
| Ms Williams said: "There are lots of children meant to be taking GCSEs and A levels and they are very worried about when they might be able to fly to get home." | Ms Williams said: "There are lots of children meant to be taking GCSEs and A levels and they are very worried about when they might be able to fly to get home." |
| Karen Abbott, from Southampton, is stuck in Singapore with her husband and daughter, who has diabetes and is insulin-dependent. | Karen Abbott, from Southampton, is stuck in Singapore with her husband and daughter, who has diabetes and is insulin-dependent. |
| She said the family's medication stock is running out. | She said the family's medication stock is running out. |
| Also affected were British wedding guests who had to watch on an internet connection as a bride and groom stranded in Dubai took their vows. | Also affected were British wedding guests who had to watch on an internet connection as a bride and groom stranded in Dubai took their vows. |
| Sean Murtagh, 24, who is originally from west London, and his new wife Natalie, a 30-year-old Australian, had been due to host a humanist ceremony for family and friends in London on Saturday but got stuck on their way back from Brisbane. | Sean Murtagh, 24, who is originally from west London, and his new wife Natalie, a 30-year-old Australian, had been due to host a humanist ceremony for family and friends in London on Saturday but got stuck on their way back from Brisbane. |
| ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological Center | ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological Center |
| Mr Murtagh said the staff at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Dubai had become their unofficial wedding planners, saying: "They decorated the lobby of the hotel. They made us a three-tier wedding cake, set up a laptop with Skype and a projector... it's been an incredible day." | Mr Murtagh said the staff at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Dubai had become their unofficial wedding planners, saying: "They decorated the lobby of the hotel. They made us a three-tier wedding cake, set up a laptop with Skype and a projector... it's been an incredible day." |
| People concerned about the safety of stranded loves ones can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000 or visit the website at www.fco.gov.uk. | People concerned about the safety of stranded loves ones can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000 or visit the website at www.fco.gov.uk. |
| Stranded Britons are advised to contact the nearest British embassy for help. | Stranded Britons are advised to contact the nearest British embassy for help. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| • The Prince of Wales and Foreign Secretary David Miliband cancelled their journey to the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski | • The Prince of Wales and Foreign Secretary David Miliband cancelled their journey to the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski |
| • The impact is likely to exceed the airspace shutdown after the 11 September 2001 attacks, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation | |
| • TV presenter Dan Snow is using five rigid inflatable boats to help people who are stranded in France by carrying people from Calais to Dover throughout Sunday | |
| • P&O ferry crossings between Portsmouth and Bilbao are fully booked until Wednesday, as are those from Hull to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam over the weekend | • P&O ferry crossings between Portsmouth and Bilbao are fully booked until Wednesday, as are those from Hull to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam over the weekend |
| • British Airways cancelled all long and short-haul flights in and out of the UK on Monday | |
| Have you been affected by the volcanic ash cloud? Are you stranded because of the airspace restrictions? Are you in Iceland? You can send your experiences using the form below: | Have you been affected by the volcanic ash cloud? Are you stranded because of the airspace restrictions? Are you in Iceland? You can send your experiences using the form below: |
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