This volcano in Iceland has caused quite a disruption across most of Europe and even in Asia as cargo planes packed with goods were unable to fly. In addition, the economic impact has affected both the individual as well as the airline industry. TGO
Refer to story below. Source: Associated Press
LONDON (AFP) – Four small airports in remote parts of Scotland were forced to close on Friday because of more volcanic ash from Iceland.
“There’s still ash cloud over northwest of Scotland,” a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages British airspace, told AFP.
The Royal Air Force suspended Typhoon training flights after deposits of volcanic ash were found on the engines, but the Civil Aviation Authority said this was a “precautionary measure” and would not result in the grounding of passenger flights.
Experts have said the volcano is losing intensity but that it is impossible to predict exactly when it will stop erupting.
“Last night there looked like there was an increase in ash for a while but now it’s mostly steam as it was yesterday,” a spokeswoman for Iceland’s civil protection told AFP.
Eyjafjoell’s eruption last Wednesday, which sent columns of ash towering into the air before being scattered across much of northern and western Europe, triggered the biggest disruption to aviation since World War II.
All major airports have now reopened and the number of flights is back at normal levels
The airline industry’s umbrella body, IATA, says the shutdown cost the industry some 1.7 billion dollars (1.1 billion pounds) and wants governments to pick up at least part of the cost, furious at their handling of the crisis.
The Irish lowcost carrier airline Ryanair initially said it would only refund passengers for their tickets but later said it would comply with EU regulations and reimburse customers for accommodation and food after an outcry.
