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UK enduring further flight chaos UK enduring further flight chaos
(10 minutes later)
The UK is enduring a fourth day as a virtual no-fly zone, as the travel chaos caused by volcanic ash drifting from Iceland shows no sign of ending.The UK is enduring a fourth day as a virtual no-fly zone, as the travel chaos caused by volcanic ash drifting from Iceland shows no sign of ending.
Flight restrictions have been extended until at least 1900 BST and forecasters say the ash cloud could remain over the UK for several more days.Flight restrictions have been extended until at least 1900 BST and forecasters say the ash cloud could remain over the UK for several more days.
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."
What worries BA and other airlines is that they have absolutely no idea when they will be able to start flying again Robert Peston's blogWhat worries BA and other airlines is that they have absolutely no idea when they will be able to start flying again Robert Peston's blog
However, he said British Airways would probably be able to weather "this particular storm" longer than most, having indicated in February that it had £4bn of cash and committed borrowing facilities, which would allow it to absorb the losses of being grounded for a time.However, he said British Airways would probably be able to weather "this particular storm" longer than most, having indicated in February that it had £4bn of cash and committed borrowing facilities, which would allow it to absorb the losses of being grounded for a time.
On Friday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned airlines would lose at least $200m (£130m) per day in revenues during the disruption.On Friday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned airlines would lose at least $200m (£130m) per day in revenues during the disruption.
Meanwhile, 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.Meanwhile, 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 over Dutch skies and no problems had been reported. The plane's engines were being inspected for possible damage, with a view to getting permission from the aviation authorities to start up operations again. 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 were being inspected for possible damage, with a view to getting permission from the aviation authorities to start up operations again.
Lufthansa said it flew 10 planes from Frankfurt to Munich at heights of up to 8km (5 miles).
Restrictions on flights in and out of the UK were extended from 1300 BST to at least 1900 BST in the early hours of Sunday.Restrictions on flights in and out of the UK were extended from 1300 BST to at least 1900 BST in the early hours of Sunday.
Lorna Gordon: "There's also a problem of this ash clogging the filters of cars"Lorna Gordon: "There's also a problem of this ash clogging the filters of cars"
Planes were first grounded 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 at midday on Thursday amid fears that particles in the ash cloud generated by the volcanic eruption could cause engines to shut down.
National Air Traffic Control Services (Nats) said the ash cloud showed "continued and extensive" cover of the UK.National Air Traffic Control Services (Nats) said the ash cloud showed "continued and extensive" cover of the UK.
Nats is expected to provide a further update at 0900 BST.Nats is expected to provide a further update at 0900 BST.
Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office, said it looked like the ash would remain over the UK "for several days".Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office, said it looked like the ash would remain over the UK "for several days".
"We need a change of wind direction that stays changed for several days and there is no sign of that in the immediate future," he said."We need a change of wind direction that stays changed for several days and there is no sign of that in the immediate future," he said.
A plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high was visible in Iceland on Saturday.A plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high was visible in Iceland on Saturday.
British glaciologist Dr Matthew Roberts, who is working at Iceland's Met Office, said the volcano was now producing less ash.British glaciologist Dr Matthew Roberts, who is working at Iceland's Met Office, said the volcano was now producing less ash.
"However, there is still volcanic ash in the atmosphere and there's a lag effect between material being emitted from the volcano and the ash plume drifting into European airspace," he said."However, there is still volcanic ash in the atmosphere and there's a lag effect between material being emitted from the volcano and the ash plume drifting into European airspace," he said.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternatives Q&A: Volcanic ash cloudEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternatives Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud
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.
Among those affected were British wedding guests who had to watch on an internet connection as a bride and groom stranded in Dubai took their vows.Among those 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.
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."
Meanwhile, one of the UK's biggest fresh fruit importers said business had ground to a halt because of the disruption.Meanwhile, one of the UK's biggest fresh fruit importers said business had ground to a halt because of the disruption.
Anthony Pile, chairman of Blue Skies, said the company was losing £100,000 a day as produce was rotting in Brazil and Africa.Anthony Pile, chairman of Blue Skies, said the company was losing £100,000 a day as produce was rotting in Brazil and Africa.
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological CenterELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological Center
"Losing a day is a disaster, losing three days is unbelievable and I don't know what we're going to do if we go into the middle of next week," he said."Losing a day is a disaster, losing three days is unbelievable and I don't know what we're going to do if we go into the middle of next week," he said.
In other developments on Saturday:In other developments on Saturday:
• 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
• Eurostar added eight extra services, but advised passengers not to turn up without a booking• Eurostar added eight extra services, but advised passengers not to turn up without a booking
• 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
• Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice holidays, said all outbound flights over the weekend had been cancelled• Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice holidays, said all outbound flights over the weekend had been cancelled
• Flights between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were halted after reports of ash on an aircraft. They had been operating earlier on Saturday• Flights between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were halted after reports of ash on an aircraft. They had been operating earlier on Saturday
• Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe until 1300 BST on Monday. It will keep running in southern and central Europe, although flight restrictions are being imposed in Hungary and Romania• Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe until 1300 BST on Monday. It will keep running in southern and central Europe, although flight restrictions are being imposed in Hungary and Romania
• EasyJet has cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe. It said a limited number of flights will continue to operate in southern Europe• EasyJet has cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe. It said a limited number of flights will continue to operate in southern Europe
• British Airways cancelled all long and short-haul flights in and out of the UK on Sunday• British Airways cancelled all long and short-haul flights in and out of the UK on Sunday
• Royal Mail air mail deliveries to the US are being taken over land to be flown from a Spanish airport• Royal Mail air mail deliveries to the US are being taken over land to be flown from a Spanish airport
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24-hour consular helpline has been set up on 020 7008 0000 for people stuck abroad.A Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24-hour consular helpline has been set up on 020 7008 0000 for people stuck abroad.


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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