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Navy ships to aid in ash response Navy ships to aid in ash response
(10 minutes later)
Three Royal Navy ships will be drafted to help return Britons stranded abroad as UK airspace remains restricted.Three Royal Navy ships will be drafted to help return Britons stranded abroad as UK airspace remains restricted.
The move was announced as the UK's emergency committee Cobra met to discuss options in addressing travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud. The move was announced after the UK's emergency committee Cobra met to discuss options in addressing travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud.
The ships HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion have been pressed into action and are heading for Spain and unspecified Channel ports. The ships HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion are heading for Spain and unspecified Channel ports.
Flight restrictions were extended to at least 0100 BST Tuesday. On Monday morning, flight restrictions were extended by air traffic control service Nats to 0100 BST Tuesday.
Travel agents' association Abta said its "rough estimate" was that 150,000 Britons are currently stranded abroad. Travel agents' association Abta said its "rough estimate" was that 150,000 Britons are currently stranded abroad, and rail and ferry services have been stretched to the limit by passengers seeking other means to return.
HMS Albion was deployed to Spain to return members of the 3 Rifles regiment to the UK, as they remain stranded on their way back from Afghanistan.
'Cautious optimism''Cautious optimism'
Gordon Brown has spoken to the Spanish premier about the feasibility of some Britons being flown into Spain before a journey by sea to the UK. Following the Cobra meeting, the prime minister said he had held discussions with Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero about using Madrid as a hub to help stranded British travellers return to the UK.
Arriving for the Cobra meeting, the Cabinet Office Minister Tessa Jowell said the government will "take advice from [national air traffic control service] Nats and no-one else". He added that the Navy ships would soon be deployed for the effort.
She also confirmed that Transport Secretary Lord Adonis is in hourly contact with individual airlines and denied the government had been slow to act over the crisis. "I expect Ocean to be in the Channel today. I expect the Ark Royal to moving towards the Channel later," he said.
"At every airport where there are likely to be UK citizens trying to return home there have been consular staff," she said. HMS Albion was deployed to Spain to return members of the 3 Rifles regiment to the UK, as they remain stranded on their way back from Afghanistan.
It comes as schools are drawing up contingency plans to deal with the absence of teachers stranded by the crisis. A handful of schools have remained closed. HMS Ark Royal will be used to help stranded Britons
The move comes as schools are drawing up contingency plans to deal with the absence of teachers stranded by the crisis. A handful of schools have remained closed.
Early reports from Iceland on Monday have suggested the ash column rising from the volcano has reduced since the weekend.Early reports from Iceland on Monday have suggested the ash column rising from the volcano has reduced since the weekend.
David Rothery of the Open University said that although the ash and wind conditions at the volcanic vent were not necessarily stable, "there are grounds for cautious optimism".David Rothery of the Open University said that although the ash and wind conditions at the volcanic vent were not necessarily stable, "there are grounds for cautious optimism".
Clouded economicsClouded economics
EU transport ministers are also expected to hold emergency talks by video conference on how to ease the chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has paralysed air travel across Europe.EU transport ministers are also expected to hold emergency talks by video conference on how to ease the chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has paralysed air travel across Europe.
The talks come as airports and airlines have called for flight restrictions - said to be costing airlines $200m (£130m) a day - to be reviewed.The talks come as airports and airlines have called for flight restrictions - said to be costing airlines $200m (£130m) a day - to be reviewed.
We clearly have a reasonable lift capacity within the Royal Navy for lifting people... we are finding exactly what ships are available, what would be able to move, what's the best port to go to Security minister Lord West
British commercial pilots' union Balpa said the industry will need the same of kind of government rescue following the eruption as some banks have had, with a number of airlines "staring bankruptcy in the face".British commercial pilots' union Balpa said the industry will need the same of kind of government rescue following the eruption as some banks have had, with a number of airlines "staring bankruptcy in the face".
Tim Jeans, managing director of the airline Monarch, said that "clearly you cannot sell a ticket for somebody from say Alicante to London for £60 and pick up a £2,000 bill".Tim Jeans, managing director of the airline Monarch, said that "clearly you cannot sell a ticket for somebody from say Alicante to London for £60 and pick up a £2,000 bill".
"No business could stand that and the UK airline industry is no different.""No business could stand that and the UK airline industry is no different."
A number of airlines, including BA, have said they have carried out test flights within restricted zones with no obvious damage to aircraft.A number of airlines, including BA, have said they have carried out test flights within restricted zones with no obvious damage to aircraft.
Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears particles in the ash cloud from Eyjafjallajoekull could cause engines to shut down.Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears particles in the ash cloud from Eyjafjallajoekull could cause engines to shut down.
Cabinet ministers also met to discuss plans to deal with the situation on Sunday, with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson saying afterwards: "We will mobilise all possible means to get people home."Cabinet ministers also met to discuss plans to deal with the situation on Sunday, with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson saying afterwards: "We will mobilise all possible means to get people home."
Security minister Lord West, a former head of the Royal Navy, said other ideas included requisitioning merchant ships.
Help offeredHelp offered
Downing Street said the prime minister and his Spanish counterpart had agreed by phone that the UK and Spain would work together to look at how the capacity in Spain, which is open to flights, could be used to help get British people stranded in areas such as America and Asia back to the UK.Downing Street said the prime minister and his Spanish counterpart had agreed by phone that the UK and Spain would work together to look at how the capacity in Spain, which is open to flights, could be used to help get British people stranded in areas such as America and Asia back to the UK.
MAJOR EU AIRPORTS 0800 19/04 Heathrow - closedFrankfurt - closed after reopening on a limited basis for several hours on SundayParis Charles de Gaulle - closedSchipol, Amsterdam - closedRome - limited serviceMadrid - limited service Robert Peston's blog In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closuresMAJOR EU AIRPORTS 0800 19/04 Heathrow - closedFrankfurt - closed after reopening on a limited basis for several hours on SundayParis Charles de Gaulle - closedSchipol, Amsterdam - closedRome - limited serviceMadrid - limited service Robert Peston's blog In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closures
A spokeswoman said: "Prime Minister Zapatero said that he would help in any way he can."A spokeswoman said: "Prime Minister Zapatero said that he would help in any way he can."
The Conservatives said they would like to see ships chartered to bring people home who are stranded in Europe and urged ferry and rail operators to retain their normal pricing structures.The Conservatives said they would like to see ships chartered to bring people home who are stranded in Europe and urged ferry and rail operators to retain their normal pricing structures.
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.
On Sunday, a British Airways Boeing 747 completed a two-and-three-quarter hour test flight at 40,000ft from Heathrow to Cardiff, via the Atlantic, the airline said.On Sunday, a British Airways Boeing 747 completed a two-and-three-quarter hour test flight at 40,000ft from Heathrow to Cardiff, via the Atlantic, the airline said.
Chief executive Willie Walsh, who is a trained pilot, and four crew were on board.Chief executive Willie Walsh, who is a trained pilot, and four crew were on board.
"The conditions were perfect and the aircraft encountered no difficulties. It will now undergo a full technical analysis at British Airways' engineering base at Cardiff," the airline said in a statement."The conditions were perfect and the aircraft encountered no difficulties. It will now undergo a full technical analysis at British Airways' engineering base at Cardiff," the airline said in a statement.
However, BBC business editor Robert Peston said a Met Office plane had encountered dangerous levels of ash when it went through the ash cloud on Sunday.However, BBC business editor Robert Peston said a Met Office plane had encountered dangerous levels of ash when it went through the ash cloud on Sunday.
Dr Guy Gratton, head of the Facility of Airborne Atmospheric Measurement, a joint body belonging to the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council, said the test had discovered "a very complex set of ash plumes" with "six distinct layers".Dr Guy Gratton, head of the Facility of Airborne Atmospheric Measurement, a joint body belonging to the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council, said the test had discovered "a very complex set of ash plumes" with "six distinct layers".
"Those layers are around four or five times more dense than we saw on our last flight on Friday, so it's still quite a complex mixture of clear air and very worrying, but invisible volcanic ash at all sorts of heights," he said."Those layers are around four or five times more dense than we saw on our last flight on Friday, so it's still quite a complex mixture of clear air and very worrying, but invisible volcanic ash at all sorts of heights," he said.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latestEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest
Our correspondent said this showed the issue was not whether the cloud was real and dangerous, but whether its extent could be accurately mapped.Our correspondent said this showed the issue was not whether the cloud was real and dangerous, but whether its extent could be accurately mapped.
One possible solution would involve putting observation planes in the sky to give a more detailed picture of the location of ash concentrations, he added.One possible solution would involve putting observation planes in the sky to give a more detailed picture of the location of ash concentrations, he added.
The government is trying to obtain more observation planes - from the military in particular - with this in mind, he said.The government is trying to obtain more observation planes - from the military in particular - with this in mind, he said.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and the Association of European Airlines (AEA) said on Sunday they were "questioning the proportionality of the flight restrictions currently imposed".Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and the Association of European Airlines (AEA) said on Sunday they were "questioning the proportionality of the flight restrictions currently imposed".
ACI's director general Oliver Jankovek said safety was an "absolute priority" but it was important to distinguish whether there was a "genuine risk".ACI's director general Oliver Jankovek said safety was an "absolute priority" but it was important to distinguish whether there was a "genuine risk".
"We are just asking for those questions to be asked, those questions to be examined, and then for the competent authorities to reassess... re-assess doesn't necessarily mean come to a different conclusion," he said."We are just asking for those questions to be asked, those questions to be examined, and then for the competent authorities to reassess... re-assess doesn't necessarily mean come to a different conclusion," he said.
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 storiesWe'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
However, Eurocontrol, the organisation in charge of air safety in Europe, has denied aviation authorities are being over-cautious.However, Eurocontrol, the organisation in charge of air safety in Europe, has denied aviation authorities are being over-cautious.
Forecasters have warned the dust cloud generated by the Icelandic eruption may remain over the UK for several days.Forecasters have warned the dust cloud generated by the Icelandic eruption may remain over the UK for several days.
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.
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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