Iceland: Volcano disrupts flights in UK and other European countries

BBC News - Volcano ash alert from Iceland hits UK flights

Airline passengers have been facing disruption across the UK after warnings of an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

So far, no effects expected for us on the ground (other than having flights cancelled).

Iceland!

I can vouch for the decision to suspend flights - volcanic ash can be very dangerous to aircraft... it's dense and hot and if it gets into aircraft engines, it can melt on fuel nozzles and turbine blades, causing engine failure. Also, the ash contains sulphur dioxide which can have corrosive effects on the aircraft, When I was doing my masters we did a course on Natural Hazards and our professor was telling us of an incident in the late '80s where a commercial plane flew into an ash cloud over Alaska (KLM flight 867) and lost power to all four engines. It descended 14,000 ft before the pilot got the engines started again and caused $80 million of damage to the plane (we even heard the black box recording of it happening... not fun to listen to). Thankfully it  managed to land safely and no one was hurt.

I can vouch for the decision to suspend flights - volcanic ash can be very dangerous to aircraft... it's dense and hot and if it gets into aircraft engines, it can melt on fuel nozzles and turbine blades, causing engine failure. Also, the ash contains sulphur dioxide which can have corrosive effects on the aircraft, When I was doing my masters we did a course on Natural Hazards and our professor was telling us of an incident in the late '80s where a commercial plane flew into an ash cloud over Alaska (KLM flight 867) and lost power to all four engines. It descended 14,000 ft before the pilot got the engines started again and caused $80 million of damage to the plane (we even heard the black box recording of it happening... not fun to listen to). Thankfully it  managed to land safely and no one was hurt.

Ummm.... yeah. I would be happy to stay on the ground given this situation. I can understand being put out about missing your flight, but honestly, I'm happy to wait if it means I get to live. 

I think most people understand...

I didn't watch the video, and it's weird that that link came up as a video.  I was just hoping to do a story link.

We're flying to the US tomorrow (from Dublin, not the UK) and I think we'll be in the clear. My husband is freaking out about what we'll do and I'm all, there's not much we can do! It's out of our control! Like Jewlz said, I'm happy to sit on the ground and wait an extra day if it's too dangerous to fly!

They are just about to close Manx Airspace..and it has been reported this could be for several days....

East Midlands Airport has cancelled all flights. We live on the incoming flight path and it's been eerily quite today...and I've not heard the Derbyshire Police helicopter or the DLRAA helicopter either...eerie.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/15/iceland.flights/index.html?hpt=P1

As of Noon today (1200 BST) UK airspace is now closed and will be until 6pm BST tonight and could be extended depending on conditions.

I know it's disappointing for people travelling, but I'm so glad they've closed the airports.  It can be so dangerous and really choke the engines of the planes like ksand was saying.  But it has been a hard year to book a holiday where you have to fly though.  I wonder what else will happen. 

Take the train!

Turns out you can take the train all the way from London to Hanoi...

Take the train!

Turns out you can take the train all the way from London to Hanoi...

Really?  That sounds awesome!!  I know my retirement plan now.    Hopefully you still can in about 40 years.

DH is supposed to fly back to the US tomorrow to do an IT bootcamp for 18 days. I wonder what will happen if he can't make it due to the ash because it was a lot of money!

Emmylou, if his flight is cancelled he'll get a full refund.

DH is supposed to run in the Boston Marathon on Monday. We've paid for our accommodation and my parents are meeting us for the week. 

Thanks bmore. I was more worried about the bootcamp than the flight  I'm hoping they'll be able to just put him on the next one which isnt until June

Oh no! That sucks for you guys! Of all the things to stop flights this is the most bizarre!