Volcano ash cloud chaos response: Flights restricted

Volcano Iceland and Ash cloud over Europe, Flights at European Airport have been halted for a fourth day as airspace continues to be affected by an Icelandic ash cloud.

The current disruption is the worst since the World War II with millions of passengers stranded across Europe and elsewhere. Planes are expected to be grounded until at least tomorrow after the air traffic control service extended its restriction on flights.
Airport authorities are advising people to stay away and check with their flight operator before travelling.

The UK’s emergency committee Cobra is due to discuss the ash cloud chaos, amid suggestions the Royal Navy could help ferry stranded Britons back home.

The talks come as airports and airlines have called for flight restrictions – said to be costing airlines $200m (£130m) a day – to be reviewed.

Airspace closed:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, UK

A number of airlines, including BA, say they have carried out test flights within restricted zones with no obvious damage to aircraft.

We clearly have a reasonable lift capacity within the Royal Navy for lifting people… we are finding exactly what ships are available, what would be able to move, what’s the best port to go to ( Security minister Lord West)