Ash Cloud Crisis News Page 4
Cruise boom following concerns over ash and strikes
According to the Passenger Shipping Association’s latest review nearly four out of ten UK cruise holiday makers now embark on their cruise from a UK port. The majority however still opt for a fly cruise with its attendant added worries and stress about travel to and from the ship.
Mixed fortunes for UK hoteliers in volcanic ash cloud fallout
London hotel occupancy suffered in April as the ash cloud prevented visitors from travelling to the capital.
Iceland volcano “quietens down”
The Icelandic volcano that has brought chaos to air travel across Europe appears to be quietening down, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Could this spell the end of the ash crisis?
Ash crisis leads to 30 percent surge in Eurotunnel bookings
The widespread disruption to European flight schedules due to the ash cloud has led to a 30 percent surge in Eurotunnel’s online bookings. The Channel Tunnel operator is experiencing unprecedented booking activity, which has also been boosted by the uncertainty surrounding a possible British Airways strike.
E-Victims.Org warns travellers about Volcanic Ash Compensation Scams
E-Victims.Org, the UK’s most comprehensive website for victims of e-crime and other online incidents, is warning travellers about Volcanic Ash Compensation Scams.
New ash flight rules set to come into force
New measures developed by the Civil Aviation Authority are due to come into force today in an effort to reduce disruption caused by volcanic ash. Following talks between airlines, regulators, and aircraft manufacturers, the CAA has developed a new Time Limited Zone, allowing aircraft to fly through higher volumes of ash for shorter periods.
Ash update: Dutch airports closed
The new volcanic ash cloud is expected to result in the loss of 1,000 flights in Europe on Monday with airports across Holland closed, the Eurocontrol agency said. However the cloud was expected to disperse during the day, Europe’s intergovernmental air traffic coordinating agency said.
Ash cloud restrictions lifted across UK
Flight restrictions have been lifted at all UK airports after the volcanic ash cloud over UK airspace moved away, and there will be no flight groundings on the mainland at least until 0100 BST on Tuesday, UK air traffic control said.
Ash cloud forces closure of Heathrow and Gatwick
Heathrow and Gatwick have become the latest airports to be closed amid fresh fears about volcanic ash from Iceland. The Civil Aviation Authority has decided to shut the two key London airports as a safety precaution.
Thomas Cook losses £70m due to ash crisis
Thomas Cook has issued an upbeat trading statement despite losing £70m to cover expenses and repatriation fees of passengers stranded by the ash cloud. Pretax losses in the six months to the end of March narrowed to £252m compared with £309m the year before.
Ash cloud forces BAA numbers down
Airport operator BAA saw passenger numbers fall by a fifth in April, as ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull Volcano closed UK airports. The disruption continues to impact upon Europe, with airports in Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal all intermittently closed over the weekend.
Return of the Ash Cloud Comment: Paul Charles, Aviation Crisis Management Expert
“Airlines will be watching nervously as the volcanic ash cloud descends again.”