Air space Europe

I dont imagine any of you were considering flying in European airspace this week.
Just thought I would mention that due to the Icelandic volcano our air space is still closed until at least monday.
All our airports are closed. No flights in out or through...

This could go on throughout the week we are told.
It could rumble on for several weeks or even months intermittently....not sure how they know that...

Great looking at the pictures, thanks Brent.
Chaos reigns....

Pen

I've been watching it on the news. It's crazy, Pen!

paradox wrote:I've been watching it on the news. It's crazy, Pen!

Yes, dont get me wrong I do know America has news...LOL
In fact we have several of your news channels here...
Ain't technology great.....

It is crazy. And no sign of a change as yet. However looks as if a few lower flying flights might make it off the ground tomorrow afternoon.

I just had a sort of rebuff from my DIL. They are booked to go to Florida May 16. Apparently she doesn't watch news. I told her they are saying it could drift on a month or more and the only way to get any money back is to cancel now....her parents (in their 70s) are going with them and couldn't afford to lose that money....She apparently thought I was mad even suggesting it......Got quite irritated at the very suggestion......oh well....my bad!!

hi yeah we have friends stuck in Orlando area was due to fly home yesterday and have been told by travel rep they have no idea when they will get a flight yet.

I have to be honest if i was due to fly anywhere in may i wouldnt even be worrying about it yet, what we need is a couple of wet weeks to damp it all down, and if the planes still arent flying in a months time alot of the companies would of gone bust by then, they are moaning already of loosing millions everyday, so i would just hang back and see what happens.

I know May is a long way off. Its kind of, they are stretching themselves to go and he has health issues, he is 76.
They are if I am honest being coerced by my DIL because if her parents go, of curse they get a holiday but it allows her and my son to get out on their won because they have baby sitters and also they pat towards the house they rent....
I am not proud of my sons part in this, but it is her parents....
With a 3 year old and 6 month baby, they get a much better holiday if they have sitters.

All that aside, I just thought they ought to know it could still be an occasional problem and hey will lose all their money.
Her parent should be let off the hook to decided, but they kind of do what she tells them...

Anyway that isnt what the thread was about, so having vented, I shall shut up.......

these joint family holidays are a headache (excuse the pun) arent they we are trying to sort one out in my family but its just soo complicated with all the arrangements, i hope they know how hot it will be over there in may, well hot for us Brits, our US cousins may well be used to it, we have been twice at that time of year, and by lunchtime its melting!

This particular volcano has a history of being active for up to three years. The ash is going as high as 60,000' which far above where rain forms. If the jetstream goes back to a normal flow it would not affect such a wide area. But it's following a weird "S" pattern taking farther south.

I remember when Mt St Helens was spewing ash and then erupted. The stuff went everywhere and screwed up air traffic in the Pacific Northwest For several weeks.

Hopefully it clears out soon. But the crimson red sunsets will be around for a long time. Much of the ash will be in the stratosphere above any wind and will hang there for a long time.

quick update. nothing moving until at least 1am monday.
BA cancelled throughout monday so far.
word is could go on until the end of the week and then rumble on for weeks.
My DIL just might wish she hadn't laughed at me...

Friends who were flying home from Spain on Thursday now told end of this coming week if they are lucky..
Now worried about their dog....

Just a reminder of how much we rely on air travel.
Bring on the boats...

Some online pics of the actual eruption.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1266824/I-saw-earth-explode-How-photographer-shooting-outdoor-clothing-camped-Iceland-s-volcano--witnessed-eruption-closed-Europe-.html

This morning it seems that the situation is improving a bit. Some flights are taking off, but the authorities are cautious.
The point is that the eruptions may continue and air traffic may be affected for several weeks.

Hubby and I were planning a holiday to Scotland for the beginning of June, but we are evaluating other places at this point

BBC news this morning. No fly before tuesday afternoon.
Ash now heading for eastern canada.

Something like this makes me realise how small and powerless we are against mother nature sometimes, the media over here are now stiring up trouble by highlighting the fact that there will be a shortage of certain foods that come in by plane, so just waiting for the panic buying to start now, oh and for all of us to be paying through the nose for the airlines lack of profit, Just watch the prices hike up, this summer!

Can only concur Theresa.

How do you fancy waiting at the airport whilst the two factions argue over whether its safe to fly or not??

Apparently some RAF Tornadoes incurred serious engine damage.....hopefully they only have safety as their agenda....
The airlines.....money is a big issue....

I am so glad I am not trying to go to or get back from anywhere....finally something to thank migraine for!!!!

Not sure how my son and family will fare.....his wife is not laughing at me any more!!!

They have just said our airspace is opening from 10pm tonight, which is 1 hour from now.
First flight in is from LA!!

Thank goodness, now Meatloaf can get home...

Nothing more to tell unless something goes wrong, we are open for business again...