The UK is closed for business

[Sam]

But for how long is the question Could be another severe cloud by the weekend.

[xxMATTGxx]

But for how long is the question Could be another severe cloud by the weekend.

True!

---------------------------------------

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 2300

NATS welcomes new CAA guidance and reopens airspace

We are delighted to report that most restrictions on UK airspace began to be lifted at 2134 (local time) this evening, following new guidance from the UK’s safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority on restrictions to UK airspace as a result of the volcanic eruption.

Air traffic control services have resumed in the UK with the exception of an area over the north west of Scotland which continues to be affected by a dense concentration of volcanic ash. Based on current information this situation is not expected to change overnight. The situation continues to be dynamic as a result of changing weather conditions and the prediction of dense areas of volcanic ash. NATS will continue to monitor the latest Met Office and VAAC information and the CAA’s updates on the availability of UK airspace.

This brings to an end a period of disruption and uncertainty for air passengers. Our operation is fully staffed and already responding to the backlog of flights entering UK airspace. We will be working with the airlines and airports to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Due to the scale of the disruption, it will take some time for flights to resume normal operations and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information about flights.

There are no further operational changes expected overnight and on this basis our next update will be at 0900 (local time) on 21 April.

[Sam]

Damn, i was expecting someone to give me some false reassurance that couldn't possibly happen :L

[xxMATTGxx]

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Wednesday April 20, 0945

Overnight most of the UK’s airspace has been available with the exception of an area over the north west of Scotland which has continued to be affected by a dense concentration of volcanic ash. We continue to work with the latest information and guidance from our safety regulator, the CAA, the Met Office and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre on the predicted movements of the area of dense volcanic ash. Based on the latest information, we anticipate that this area will continue to centre on the north west of Scotland and may extend further south into Scottish airspace during today.

Between the period of 0100 – 0700 on 21 April NATS handled 130 flights in airspace over England and Wales and 35 flights in Scottish airspace (including Northern Ireland). We are in regular contact with the UK airports and airline operators to understand the latest information on flights entering UK airspace and our operation is ready to respond to an increase in demand.

Passengers should contact their airlines to find out how the current situation will affect their travel plans. We anticipate being able to provide a further update late this afternoon.

-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------

Flight disruptions cost airlines $1.7bn, says IATA

Global airlines have lost about $1.7bn (£1.1bn) as a result of the disruptions to flights caused by the Icelandic volcanic eruption, a body has said.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that at its height, the "crisis" hit almost a third of global flights.

It also estimated that 1.2 million passengers a day were affected.

On Tuesday night, flights started landing in the UK after a six-day shutdown of UK airspace.

The decision to lift the ban followed safety tests that showed plane engines could cope in areas of low density ash.

"For an industry that lost $9.4bn last year and was forecast to lose a further $2.8bn in 2010, this crisis is devastating," said Giovanni Bisignani, chief executive of IATA.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8634147.stm