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Chaos persists as flights resume Chaos persists as flights resume
(19 minutes later)
Travel chaos continues to grip Europe, despite the easing of the aerial shutdown as the Icelandic volcano eruption appeared to wane. Europe is starting to reopen its skies almost a week after the eruption of an Icelandic volcano grounded most planes.
The UK has reopened its airports, while some flights have left Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, but airspace in Germany remains restricted. Flights have already left London, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
More than 95,000 flights were cancelled across Europe in the past week and it may take weeks to get passengers home. But severe delays are still expected, as airlines try to cope with the backlog caused by volcanic ash floating across the continent.
The disruption is having a huge impact on business across the world. At least 95,000 flights were cancelled, and the International Air Transport Association says the disruptions have cost the industry $1.7bn (£1.1bn).
Scientists say southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano is now producing more lava, and the ash plume is shrinking, although it remains changeable. Scientists say the ash plume around the Eyjafjallajokull volcano is now shrinking, although the situation remains changeable.
Iceland's civil protection agency said the volcano had lost nearly 80% of its intensity since the weekend.
CheersCheers
Airlines have begun the enormous task of working through the backlog to get stranded passengers where they want to go. Airlines have now begun the enormous task of working through the backlog to get stranded passengers where they want to go.
The Eurocontrol air traffic agency said it was optimistic the situation would be back to normal in a few days' time.The Eurocontrol air traffic agency said it was optimistic the situation would be back to normal in a few days' time.
FLIGHT DISRUPTION See how flights have been disrupted by the volcanic ash cloudFLIGHT DISRUPTION See how flights have been disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud
Travel analysts said passengers with current tickets would be given priority, and those who were affected by cancellations would be put on waiting lists.Travel analysts said passengers with current tickets would be given priority, and those who were affected by cancellations would be put on waiting lists.
Weary passengers cheered and clapped as flights began to take off from airports.Weary passengers cheered and clapped as flights began to take off from airports.
Eve Dickinson, who was among the first to arrive back in Britain, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be home."Eve Dickinson, who was among the first to arrive back in Britain, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be home."
Britain reopened its airspace from 2200 local time (2100 GMT) on Tuesday, allowing long-haul flights to land at Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest. A flight from Vancouver, Canada, was the first to arrive.Britain reopened its airspace from 2200 local time (2100 GMT) on Tuesday, allowing long-haul flights to land at Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest. A flight from Vancouver, Canada, was the first to arrive.
Stranded Canadian bridesmaids arrive in LondonStranded Canadian bridesmaids arrive in London
British Airways said it would operate all long-haul flights departing from Heathrow and Gatwick airports on Wednesday, but warned that there would be short-haul cancellations to and from London airports until 1300 local time (1200 GMT).British Airways said it would operate all long-haul flights departing from Heathrow and Gatwick airports on Wednesday, but warned that there would be short-haul cancellations to and from London airports until 1300 local time (1200 GMT).
There was more good news for passengers as Air France said it would resume all long-haul flights from Wednesday, although it added that services in parts of northern Europe would stay suspended.There was more good news for passengers as Air France said it would resume all long-haul flights from Wednesday, although it added that services in parts of northern Europe would stay suspended.
In Germany, Frankfurt airport listed a handful of early-morning flights arriving and departing on Wednesday but large numbers were listed as cancelled.In Germany, Frankfurt airport listed a handful of early-morning flights arriving and departing on Wednesday but large numbers were listed as cancelled.
Around the world, airlines began putting on extra flights to clear the backlog of stranded travellers.Around the world, airlines began putting on extra flights to clear the backlog of stranded travellers.
Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Virgin flights have begun taking off from Australia and New Zealand, while Air China and Japan Airlines announced that all their Europe flights would also be departing.Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Virgin flights have begun taking off from Australia and New Zealand, while Air China and Japan Airlines announced that all their Europe flights would also be departing.
Business nightmareBusiness nightmare
Meanwhile, nearly 300 British holidaymakers marooned in Santander, northern Spain, have been picked up by a Royal Navy warship.Meanwhile, nearly 300 British holidaymakers marooned in Santander, northern Spain, have been picked up by a Royal Navy warship.
The first five of a fleet of coaches promised by the UK government to help long queues of its nationals home were leaving Madrid on Tuesday evening.The first five of a fleet of coaches promised by the UK government to help long queues of its nationals home were leaving Madrid on Tuesday evening.
EUROPEAN AIRSPACE AUSTRIA - Airspace open BELGIUM - Planes landing, but no departures until 1200 GMT WednesdayBRITAIN - All airports openDENMARK - Airspace to open from 0900 GMTFINLAND - Most airports to reopen by 0900 GMTFRANCE - Limited flights. Most airports open, Air France resuming long-haul service WednesdayGERMANY - Some flights operatingIRELAND - Airspace reopenedITALY - Airspace openNETHERLANDS - Airspace openNORWAY - Airspace reopenedPOLAND - Airspace reopened at 0500 GMTSPAIN - All airports openSWEDEN - Airspace open over central-northern Sweden. Stockholm Arlanda airport closed until at least Wednesday morningSWITZERLAND - Airspace reopened 'No tolerance' rule for volcanic ash Latest health advice Latest: Air passenger rights Getting home: Your stories Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest Have your say
European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas denied the EU had taken too long to respond to calls for airspace to be reopened, saying people's lives were at stake.European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas denied the EU had taken too long to respond to calls for airspace to be reopened, saying people's lives were at stake.
Volcano 'not in the big league' Latest: Air passenger rights Getting home: Your stories Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest Have your say
The UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meanwhile, said it would lead moves to develop a global standard for the concentration of ash in the air beyond which it was dangerous to fly.The UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meanwhile, said it would lead moves to develop a global standard for the concentration of ash in the air beyond which it was dangerous to fly.
But final decisions about safety would remain up to governments, ICAO Council president Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez said.But final decisions about safety would remain up to governments, ICAO Council president Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez said.
The flight ban was imposed because in the high temperatures of an engine turbine, ash can turn to molten glass and cripple the engine.The flight ban was imposed because in the high temperatures of an engine turbine, ash can turn to molten glass and cripple the engine.
As waylaid travellers scrambled for other modes of transport, ferry and railway companies enjoyed an unexpected bonanza, while some car-hire firms were reportedly increasing charges.As waylaid travellers scrambled for other modes of transport, ferry and railway companies enjoyed an unexpected bonanza, while some car-hire firms were reportedly increasing charges.
But many other businesses have been hit hard by the chaos.But many other businesses have been hit hard by the chaos.
The airline industry says it has been losing more than $200m (£130m; 150m euros) a day since the turmoil began last week.The airline industry says it has been losing more than $200m (£130m; 150m euros) a day since the turmoil began last week.
The carmaker BMW said it was suspending production at three of its plants in Germany, because of interruptions in the supply of parts. In Japan, Nissan also suspended production lines, while Honda announced a partial halt to production.The carmaker BMW said it was suspending production at three of its plants in Germany, because of interruptions in the supply of parts. In Japan, Nissan also suspended production lines, while Honda announced a partial halt to production.
Blocked shipments of goods are reportedly stacking up in China, while South Korea is stuck with hundreds of thousands of mobile phones.Blocked shipments of goods are reportedly stacking up in China, while South Korea is stuck with hundreds of thousands of mobile phones.
And there are heaps of clothing bound for Europe piling up in Bangladesh.And there are heaps of clothing bound for Europe piling up in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile exporters of fresh flowers and vegetables in Zambia, Kenya and Uganda are having to throw away tonnes of rotting stock.Meanwhile exporters of fresh flowers and vegetables in Zambia, Kenya and Uganda are having to throw away tonnes of rotting stock.
For all the chaos that Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano has already created, scientists say the ash cloud might only be the start. There are concerns the eruption could set off the nearby, larger Katla volcano, which sits on the Myrdalsjokull glacier, but officials said no activity had been detected. Its last major eruption was in 1918.For all the chaos that Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano has already created, scientists say the ash cloud might only be the start. There are concerns the eruption could set off the nearby, larger Katla volcano, which sits on the Myrdalsjokull glacier, but officials said no activity had been detected. Its last major eruption was in 1918.
Are you due to fly today? Have you made it to your destination? Or are you still stranded? Send us your comments.Are you due to fly today? Have you made it to your destination? Or are you still stranded? Send us your comments.
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