Skyscanner flight searches surge as people seek alternative travel arrangements after planes are grounded by volcanic ash.

Gareth Williams, Chief Executive of Skyscanner commented: “This eruption has had an unprecedented impact on the travel industry with thousands of flights cancelled.

On Friday, Skyscanner recorded a seventy percent increase on flight searches in the UK as Brits hastily tried to re-arrange their travel plans.

Following the news that Scandinavia grounded all flights our search figures rose 282% in that region as consumers desperately hunted around to find alternate routes.”

Despite a reported increase in train and ferry ticket sales our statistics show that consumers are not avoiding flight routes, they are simply seeking the best alternative way to bypass the worst affected areas.”