Clouds of billowing ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano are yet again causing major problems for UK air travel, especially in the northern part of the country.
Volcanic ash from Iceland still causing travel chaos
Most airspace restrictions were removed yesterday morning but many travellers are still experiencing serious delays due to the backlog of flights.
Heathrow and Gatwick airports are now operating relatively normally, but airports in the Shetland Islands and Northern Ireland still remain closed. The Met Office attributed the change in the situation to a change in wind direction, meaning that most airspace could be immediately re-opened in the morning or at 1pm. Despite this, Eurocontrol (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) has said that around 1,000 European flights will be grounded today.
To alleviate some of the backlog, Virgin trains have said they are able to make 7,000 extra seats available on journeys from Scotland to London. Tourist companies such as Steam Dreams steam train company are also pitching in to help with an extra 50 seats on the Edinburgh to London route.
BA cabin crew strikes
This latest alert over Icelandic volcano ash could not have come at a worse time for the UK aviation and holiday industries, as British Airways are currently facing strike action from their cabin crew over pay and working conditions. This will cause even more disruption for travellers and the airline, as well as heavy financial losses.
The Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, has talked to Sky News about the situation, saying:
“At a time when the airlines are already being disrupted by the ash cloud the last thing that we need is this [the cabin crew strike]…layering one problem on top of another.”
can they not wait to have their strike, or is it booked???