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| Ministers mull flight chaos steps | Ministers mull flight chaos steps |
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| Britons stranded by flight restrictions as a result of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland could be returned to the UK through a "Spanish hub". | |
| Ministers met after it was announced UK flight restrictions would be in place until at least 0700 BST on Monday. | |
| Ideas included flying those outside the no-fly zone to Spain and then to the UK by other transport, using the Royal Navy and requisitioning merchant ships. | |
| Tories and Lib Dems had called for ministers to give out more information. | |
| Forecasters have warned the dust cloud may remain over the UK for several days. | Forecasters have warned the dust cloud may remain over the UK for several days. |
| 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: Europe grounded 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: Europe grounded Economic impact of closures |
| Bodies representing European airports and airlines have called for flight restrictions to be reviewed. | Bodies representing European airports and airlines have called for flight restrictions to be reviewed. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who emerged from the meeting flanked by several cabinet colleagues, said: "We will mobilise all possible means to get people home." | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who emerged from the meeting flanked by several cabinet colleagues, said: "We will mobilise all possible means to get people home." |
| He said Prime Minister Gordon Brown would meet with his Spanish counterpart to explore whether Britons could be returned by landing in Spain - which is open to flights - from certain parts of the world. | He said Prime Minister Gordon Brown would meet with his Spanish counterpart to explore whether Britons could be returned by landing in Spain - which is open to flights - from certain parts of the world. |
| Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said Met Office advice was that it would not be safe for flights across most of northern Europe on Monday. | Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said Met Office advice was that it would not be safe for flights across most of northern Europe on Monday. |
| He said data from a number of test flights would go to regulators, and there would be a meeting of European transport ministers on Monday. | He said data from a number of test flights would go to regulators, and there would be a meeting of European transport ministers on Monday. |
| Additional capacity had been introduced on other transport such as Eurostar and Eurtounnel trains and ferries, he added. | Additional capacity had been introduced on other transport such as Eurostar and Eurtounnel trains and ferries, he added. |
| Security minister Lord West, a former head of the Royal Navy, said using the navy to bring people home was an option. | Security minister Lord West, a former head of the Royal Navy, said using the navy to bring people home was an option. |
| The government's Cobra emergency committee is to meet at 0830 BST on Monday. | The government's Cobra emergency committee is to meet at 0830 BST on Monday. |
| The Conservatives have released an eight-point plan they would like to see to tackle the situation. | The Conservatives have released an eight-point plan they would like to see to tackle the situation. |
| It includes chartering ships to bring people home who are stranded in Europe and urging ferry and rail operators to retain their normal pricing structures. | It includes chartering ships to bring people home who are stranded in Europe and urging ferry and rail operators to retain their normal pricing structures. |
| 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. |
| Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "With thousands of Britons stuck in airports overseas, it is hugely worrying that there is no end in sight for the flight ban." | Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "With thousands of Britons stuck in airports overseas, it is hugely worrying that there is no end in sight for the flight ban." |
| Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it needed to be "urgently assessed" how much longer British passengers faced being stranded for. | Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it needed to be "urgently assessed" how much longer British passengers faced being stranded for. |
| A British Airways Boeing 747 has completed a test flight at 30,000ft from Heathrow to Cardiff, with chief executive Willie Walsh and four crew on board. | |
| 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 it had flown a plane through the cloud of volcanic ash without suffering any damage. | KLM said it had flown a plane through the cloud of volcanic ash without suffering any damage. |
| Air France said it had successfully carried out a test flight from Paris to Toulouse. | Air France said it had successfully carried out a test flight from Paris to Toulouse. |
| A BA spokesman said: "In line with action taken by other European airlines and, subject to approval by the relevant authorities, we are planning to operate a test flight later today." | A BA spokesman said: "In line with action taken by other European airlines and, subject to approval by the relevant authorities, we are planning to operate a test flight later today." |
| ACI, representing European airports, and AEA, representing European airlines, said they were "questioning the proportionality of the flight restrictions currently imposed". | ACI, representing European airports, and AEA, representing European airlines, said they were "questioning the proportionality of the flight restrictions currently imposed". |
| AEA secretary general Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus said: "Verification flights undertaken by several of our airlines have revealed no irregularities at all." | AEA secretary general Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus said: "Verification flights undertaken by several of our airlines have revealed no irregularities at all." |
| EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest | EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest |
| Earlier, Brian Flynn, head of operations at Eurocontrol, the organisation in charge of air safety in Europe, denied aviation authorities were being over cautious. | Earlier, Brian Flynn, head of operations at Eurocontrol, the organisation in charge of air safety in Europe, denied aviation authorities were being over cautious. |
| Ryanair has cancelled all scheduled flights between the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic states until 1300 BST on Wednesday. | Ryanair has cancelled all scheduled flights between the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic states until 1300 BST on Wednesday. |
| Easyjet has cancelled all its flights scheduled before 1300 BST on Monday in areas where airspace is closed, but a limited number are expected to operate in southern Europe. | Easyjet has cancelled all its flights scheduled before 1300 BST on Monday in areas where airspace is closed, but a limited number are expected to operate in southern Europe. |
| BMI said it was cancelling all its Heathrow flights until midnight on Monday. | BMI said it was cancelling all its Heathrow flights until midnight on Monday. |
| We've been haemorrhaging money in hotels so we investigated renting a van to drive back in but this morning we were quoted £2,000 for a day and a half to drive to Dunkirk Steve Byrne Stranded in Copenhagen Volcano ash: Your stories | We've been haemorrhaging money in hotels so we investigated renting a van to drive back in but this morning we were quoted £2,000 for a day and a half to drive to Dunkirk Steve Byrne Stranded in Copenhagen Volcano ash: Your stories |
| Anyone concerned about the safety of a British national stranded abroad can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000, or visit its website at www.fco.gov.uk. | Anyone concerned about the safety of a British national stranded abroad can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000, or visit its website at www.fco.gov.uk. |
| Stranded Britons should contact their local embassy, high commission or consulate. | Stranded Britons should contact their local embassy, high commission or consulate. |
| The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday, when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland began erupting. | The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday, when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland began erupting. |
| 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. |
| 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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