Europe’s air travel chaos deepened yesterday as a huge cloud of volcanic ash spread further across the continent, halting nearly three in four flights and stranding thousands of passengers worldwide.
European aviation agency Eurocontrol said no landings or takeoffs were possible for civilian aircraft in most of northern and central Europe because of the cloud from an Icelandic volcano that was still erupting.
It expected 6,000 flights in European airspace or 27.3 percent of the normal level for a Saturday. On Friday there were 10,400 flights, 35.9 percent of the usual number for that day.
“Forecasts suggest that the cloud of volcanic ash will persist and that the impact will continue for at least the next 24 hours,” the agency said in a statement.
The plume that floated through the upper atmosphere, where it could wreak havoc on jet engines and airframes, is costing airlines more than US$200 million a day and has thrown travel plans into disarray around the world.
The volcanic eruption appeared to be easing up in some areas yesterday, but could continue for days or even months to come, officials said.
There was no quick end in sight to the travel debacle, which coincided with the end of the busy Easter Holiday period in Europe.
France said Paris airports would remain closed until at least tomorrow morning. British Airways, hit by strikes last month that cost it around US$70 million, cancelled all flights to and from Europe, and within Britain for today.
Disruption spread to Asia, where dozens of Europe-bound flights were canceled and hotels from Beijing to Singapore strained to accommodate thousands of stranded passengers.
In Singapore, a major transit point for air traffic, 22 flights were canceled early yesterday, Changi Airport spokesman Ivan Tan said.
“We don’t know where to stay,” German citizen Dirk Kronewald said. “Singapore hotels are full.”
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