UPDATE: Ireland’s airspace has been reopened
If you had planned to fly to or fly from Europe in the next couple of days, be patient – only an estimated 11,000 of 28,000 flights through European airspace will be operating today due to the ash from the Iceland volcano.
Please contact your airline before you head to the airport. Otherwise, you might find yourself in very uncomfortable circumstances win a crowded airport.
Iceland’s volcano, called Eyjafjallajokull, is still spewing great clouds of ash, which can mess up aircraft engines, and bring planes down. Once it stops spewing, it can continue to disrupt up flights for a period of time (no one seems sure how long).
Not all European countries are affecting by – but many are: airport closures are reported in the UK, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries and more. And other transportation modes like Eurostar which travels between London and Paris, as well as other trains and buses are filling up.
Remember, the situation is fluid – contact your airline. Many are now offering waivers on fees for changing European travel.
Meanwhile, here are some nuggets to ponder:
- Frankfurt authorities have brought in more than 1,000 cots, food, and baby supplies like diapers and more, for all the people stuck in the airport there.
- The funeral for Poland’s late president, set for Sunday, may have to be delayed because of the difficulty world leaders may face in getting there
- Two RAF bases in England, used by the US Air Force, have been shut down
