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Airlines urge flight ban review Airlines urge flight ban review
(about 1 hour later)
Europe's air industry has called for an urgent review of flight bans imposed because of volcanic ash from Iceland.Europe's air industry has called for an urgent review of flight bans imposed because of volcanic ash from Iceland.
The bodies representing most European airlines and airports have questioned the need for the unprecedented curbs, which affect millions of travellers.The bodies representing most European airlines and airports have questioned the need for the unprecedented curbs, which affect millions of travellers.
Airlines that have carried out test flights say planes showed no obvious damage after flying through the ash.Airlines that have carried out test flights say planes showed no obvious damage after flying through the ash.
EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said he hoped 50% of Europe's airspace would be risk-free on Monday.EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said he hoped 50% of Europe's airspace would be risk-free on Monday.
He said the current situation was "not sustainable" and European authorities were working to find a solution that did not compromise safety.He said the current situation was "not sustainable" and European authorities were working to find a solution that did not compromise safety.
EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas: "We have an unprecedented situation"EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas: "We have an unprecedented situation"
About 20 European countries have closed their airspace and some have extended flight bans. Mr Kallas also said EU transport ministers would hold a video teleconference on Monday to assess the situation. About 20 European countries have closed their airspace.
The flight bans came amid fears that the ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles - can seriously damage aircraft engines. Airlines are estimated to be losing some £130m ($200m) a day.The flight bans came amid fears that the ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles - can seriously damage aircraft engines. Airlines are estimated to be losing some £130m ($200m) a day.
The two airline bodies, ACI Europe and AEA, said: "The eruption of the Icelandic volcano is not an unprecedented event and the procedures applied in other parts of the world for volcanic eruptions do not appear to require the kind of restrictions that are presently being imposed in Europe." ACI Europe - which represents major airports - and the Association of European Airlines issued a joint statement urging officials to reconsider the restrictions.
"The eruption of the Icelandic volcano is not an unprecedented event and the procedures applied in other parts of the world for volcanic eruptions do not appear to require the kind of restrictions that are presently being imposed in Europe," the statement said.
COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday)Norway (limited flights in north) Flights operating: Greece, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain Live updates on cloud In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closuresCOUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday)Norway (limited flights in north) Flights operating: Greece, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain Live updates on cloud In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closures
One of the airlines that carried out tests over the weekend was Dutch carrier KLM. Earlier, several airlines also questioned the curbs.
Its chief executive Peter Hartman, who was on board, said there was "nothing unusual" about the flight. Peter Hartman, chief executive of Dutch carrier KLM, said there had been "nothing unusual" about a test flight carried out by the airline through the plume, and he hoped to "get permission as soon as possible to partially restart our operations".
"If the technical examination confirms this... we then hope to get permission as soon as possible to partially restart our operations," he added.
Steven Verhagen, vice-president of the Dutch Airline Pilots Association, told the Associated Press news agency: "In our opinion there is absolutely no reason to worry about resuming flights."Steven Verhagen, vice-president of the Dutch Airline Pilots Association, told the Associated Press news agency: "In our opinion there is absolutely no reason to worry about resuming flights."
Meanwhile, British Airways was conducting its own test flight on Sunday afternoon, with Willie Walsh, a trained pilot, on board. The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, understands that the airline fears it might not be allowed to fly normal services until Thursday at the earliest.
Germany's two biggest airlines, Lufthansa and Air Berlin, also said they had carried out test flights without apparent damage, as did Air France.Germany's two biggest airlines, Lufthansa and Air Berlin, also said they had carried out test flights without apparent damage, as did Air France.
Air Berlin spokeswoman Diana Daedelow told the BBC: "It is astonishing that these findings... have seemingly been ignored in the decision-making process of the aviation safety authorities."
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Day turns to night as the dense ash cloud leaves Eyjafjallajokull in the darkDay turns to night as the dense ash cloud leaves Eyjafjallajokull in the dark
Air Berlin spokeswoman Diana Daedelow told the BBC: "It is astonishing that these findings... have seemingly been ignored in the decision-making process of the aviation safety authorities." British Airways has been conducting its own test flight on Sunday, with chief executive Willie Walsh on board.
BBC business editor Robert Peston understands that the airline fears it might not be allowed to fly normal services until Thursday at the earliest.
Worsening disruptionWorsening disruption
UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, said "urgent discussions" were taking place between European and international agencies to ease the chaos.UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, said "urgent discussions" were taking place between European and international agencies to ease the chaos.
"We want to be able to resume flights as soon as possible, but safety remains my paramount concern," he said."We want to be able to resume flights as soon as possible, but safety remains my paramount concern," he said.
I am with my husband and two young children stranded in Oslo and tearing my hair out trying to get home Christine Macandie Volcano ash: Your storiesI am with my husband and two young children stranded in Oslo and tearing my hair out trying to get home Christine Macandie Volcano ash: Your stories
Weather experts say wind patterns mean the cloud is not likely to move far until later in the week.Weather experts say wind patterns mean the cloud is not likely to move far until later in the week.
Brian Flynn, head of operations at Eurocontrol - which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations - said aviation authorities were dealing with an "unknown phenomenon", but dismissed suggestions they were being over-cautious. Brian Flynn, head of operations at Eurocontrol - which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations - dismissed suggestions the authorities were being over-cautious.
"With the over-riding objective of protecting the travelling public, these exceptional measures have to be taken," he said. "With the overriding objective of protecting the travelling public, these exceptional measures have to be taken," he said.
Meanwhile travel disruption worsened on Sunday. Eurocontrol said only 4,000 flights were expected in European airspace, against 24,000 normally.Meanwhile travel disruption worsened on Sunday. Eurocontrol said only 4,000 flights were expected in European airspace, against 24,000 normally.
On Saturday there were 5,000 flights. All but 55 of 337 scheduled flights by US carriers to and from Europe were also cancelled.On Saturday there were 5,000 flights. All but 55 of 337 scheduled flights by US carriers to and from Europe were also cancelled.
Polish funeralPolish funeral
Since Thursday, countries across northern and central Europe have either closed airspace or shut key airports.Since Thursday, countries across northern and central Europe have either closed airspace or shut key airports.
Iceland volcano in maps How long will ash last? Peston: Airlines to ask for helpIceland volcano in maps How long will ash last? Peston: Airlines to ask for help
Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace until at least 0700 local time on Monday (0600 GMT).Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace until at least 0700 local time on Monday (0600 GMT).
Ireland is closing its airspace until 1200 GMT on Monday. Most French airports are to stay closed until Tuesday, the government has said.Ireland is closing its airspace until 1200 GMT on Monday. Most French airports are to stay closed until Tuesday, the government has said.
However airports in northern Spain - including Barcelona - reopened on Sunday. However airports in northern Spain, Lithuania and Ukraine reopened on Sunday.
Ukraine opened Kiev airport, which had been closed since Saturday, enabling President Viktor Yanukovich to attend the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was able to attend the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski in the southern city of Krakow.
Many world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, were unable to attend the funeral of Mr Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash last week, because of the travel restrictions. However the restrictions prevented many world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, from attending.
Commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, packing out trains, buses and ferries. Travellers across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, packing out trains, buses and ferries.
Southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month on Wednesday, sending a plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high into the air.Southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month on Wednesday, sending a plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high into the air.
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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