Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 60
  1. #1

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Pattaya Jomtien
    Posts
    58,763

    Europes Airlines still grounded

    Volcanic ash spreads more travel misery across Europe




    Millions of stranded travellers face further air chaos as the volcanic ash from Iceland that has closed most of Europe's airspace continues to spread.

    "We don't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet," a spokesman for the international airline industry said.

    An estimated three-quarters of flights were cancelled on Saturday. About 20 countries closed their airspace - some have extended flight bans into Monday.

    Scientists say the Icelandic volcano activity shows no sign of abating.

    COUNTRIES AFFECTED

    Airspace closed:
    Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK

    Partial closures:
    Belarus: No flights between 7,000-11,000m (23,000-36,000 ft)
    Croatia: (North-western airspace closed)
    France (northern airspace, including Paris, closed until Monday)
    Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday)
    Lithuania (air traffic control leaving decision to fly to individual companies)
    Norway (limited flights in north)
    Serbia

    Flights operating:
    Spain, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey



    Live: Volcanic cloud over Europe
    In pictures: Flight disruption
    Economic impact of closures

    Icelandic geologist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson told the Associated Press news agency: "It's the magma mixing with the water that creates the explosivity. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight."

    Graeme Leitch, a meteorologist at Britain's National Weather Service, said light winds and high pressure over Europe meant the cloud was unlikely to be dispersed soon.

    "We don't expect a great deal of change over the next few days," he told AP.

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted little or no improvement on Sunday.

    "Right now through most of Europe we do not see many flights moving at all," spokesman Steve Lott told AFP news agency.

    Airlines are losing some £130m ($200m) a day in an unprecedented shutdown of commercial air travel, the IATA says.

    Eurocontrol, which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations, said it expected 17,000 flights to be cancelled across Europe on Saturday, from a total of 22,000 on a normal day.

    Long way home

    Since Thursday, countries across northern and central Europe have either closed airspace or shut key airports as the ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles - can seriously damage aircraft engines.

    Tales from stranded passengers around the globe

    In the UK commercial flights have now been banned until at least 0700 local time (0600 GMT) on Sunday.

    In northern France and northern Italy, airports are to remain shut until at least Monday.

    Unable to catch flights, commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, packing out trains, buses and ferries.

    The Eurostar cross-channel rail service said it had never seen so many passengers on one day and the trains were fully booked until Monday.



    I've only got enough medication for my epilepsy to last me until tomorrow, so my seizures are likely to start again unless I get access to that


    George Craib, Amsterdam

    Volcano ash: Your stories



    The large no-fly zone also means that some world leaders will not be attending the funeral of the Polish president on Sunday.

    US President Barack Obama has cancelled his visit to Poland.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was due to return from a visit to the US on Friday, had to fly to Lisbon where she spent the night.

    With all German airports still closed, she flew on to Italy on Saturday and is set to continue her journey home by bus.

    The disruption also forced the cancellation of the inaugural Iraqi Airways flight from Baghdad to London.




    Iceland volcano in maps
    Volcanic ash: Your travel stories
    How long will ash last?

    US pop star Whitney Houston was forced to take a car ferry from Britain to Ireland for a concert after her flight was cancelled.

    The travel chaos has been felt as far away as North America and Asia, with dozens of Europe-bound flights being cancelled.

    British health officials said any effects of the ash on people with existing respiratory conditions were "likely to be short term".

    Southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month on Wednesday, sending a plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high into the air.
    Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the highly volatile boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.


  2. #2
    Thailand Expat CaptainNemo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    18-07-2020 @ 11:25 PM
    Location
    in t' naughty lass
    Posts
    5,525
    Scientists say volcano could erupt for months - thestar.com

    BBC saying the same... the volcan could last for months... it's linked underground to a neighbouring Volcano Katla... a big blow for aeroplane industries... good for ships though...

  3. #3
    Thaiguy
    Guest
    Can you imagine the bitching that is going on in the airports - fair bet that some are blaming the airlines.
    Always makes me laugh when you hear people bitching because of mechanical problems ?
    Told one woman I hope they don't rush it , don't want it to fall out of the sky with me aboard - should have heard the earfull I got , accused of working with the airline , should make sure they never break down , don't they understand people have things to do ? etc , etc , etc.

  4. #4
    JoeMoer
    Guest
    Does this affect propeller-driven aircraft, or only jets?

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    crippen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last Online
    11-07-2021 @ 08:32 PM
    Location
    Korat
    Posts
    5,211
    ^ Go to 'PPRuNe ' ash cloud threatens air traffic thread

    800 posts to wade through! They seem to 'think'(!) not as much and not as seriously!
    affected.

    Presume by propeller you mean piston engine

    If it is a turbine prop,problems.
    Last edited by crippen; 18-04-2010 at 09:11 AM.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
    Bogon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 07:20 AM
    Posts
    5,791
    Poor old B.A.
    Just getting over the strikes from last month and now it has just been announced on the BBC that they have no insurance due to the fact that the volcanic ash is an "Act of God".
    Their planes have spent more time on the tarmac than in the air recently.
    They must be losing money hand over fist?
    Black diamonds? I shit 'em.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    taxexile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    19,328
    Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research - EURAD-Project

    prediction of ash cloud movement over the next 48 hours.

  8. #8
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Roasting a Hedgehog
    Posts
    12,355
    Anyone here affected? I'm supposed to be flying to UK on Wednesday.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    crippen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last Online
    11-07-2021 @ 08:32 PM
    Location
    Korat
    Posts
    5,211
    You'll be lucky! I fly via Dubai 27 th. It is going to be a right mess for a while, what ever happens.My visa runs 28 th,so I suppose another visa run would be a good idea.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
    taxexile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    19,328
    im going via dohar on the 27th, thinking of rebooking for a later date.

    even worse would be to get stranded in the uk if this volcano kicks off again next month.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    BobR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last Online
    19-03-2020 @ 02:26 AM
    Posts
    7,762
    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    im going via dohar on the 27th, thinking of rebooking for a later date.

    even worse would be to get stranded in the uk if this volcano kicks off again next month.
    Being stuck in Dohar or Dubai would not be much better. I don't think I would risk it for a while.

    Thaiguy: That must have been funny. The extent of human stupidity is incredible sometimes.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
    Bogon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 07:20 AM
    Posts
    5,791
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    Anyone here affected? I'm supposed to be flying to UK on Wednesday.
    Just been to a small shopping complex place called "The Paeso" on Lat Krabang road (near the airport).
    I am normally the only farang there eating a Mcshit, but today I saw at least 20 farangs scratching their arses with nothing to do..
    On my drive home I passed The Grand Income" hotel that was chock a block with farangs standing outside looking like a scene from Day of the Dead.
    By the looks of it, all the direct flights to the affected areas of Europe are grounded. If you have a stop-over in one of the Middle-Eastern countries, then they will dump you in a hotel there (good luck if your taking one of the shite airlines!).
    The Lat Krabang/ King Kaew area is a bit of a ghost town and these tourists don't quite know what to make of it!

  13. #13
    Pronce. PH said so AGAIN!
    slackula's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Behind a slipping mask of sanity in Phuket.
    Posts
    9,088
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeMoer
    Does this affect propeller-driven aircraft, or only jets?
    According to wiki it does,

    Very fine volcanic ash particles (particularly glass-rich if from an eruption under ice) sucked into a jet engine melt at about 1,100 °C, fusing onto the blades and other parts of the turbine (which operates at about 1,400 °C). They can erode and destroy parts, and cause jams in rotating machinery. Ash can also "blind" pilots by sandblasting the windscreen requiring an instrument landing, damage the fuselage, and coat the plane so much as to add significant weight and change balance. In addition, the sandblasting effect can damage the landing lights, making their beams diffuse and unable to be projected in the forward direction. Propellor aircraft are also endangered. Accumulation of ash can also block an aircraft's pitot tubes. This can lead to failure of the aircraft's air speed indicators.

    Volcanic ash - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    bibo ergo sum
    If you hear the thunder be happy - the lightening missed.
    This time.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Last Online
    08-09-2014 @ 10:43 AM
    Location
    Simian Islands
    Posts
    34,827
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    Anyone here affected?
    I know of one TDer who is happily stuck in Thailand.

  15. #15
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Roasting a Hedgehog
    Posts
    12,355
    I dont really care and can easily reschedule the trip.

    I'm hoping that my flight will go on Wednesday though, then I'll happily give up my seat for another later flight, as long as I get a free upgrade each way

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
    BobR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last Online
    19-03-2020 @ 02:26 AM
    Posts
    7,762
    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    Anyone here affected? I'm supposed to be flying to UK on Wednesday.
    Just been to a small shopping complex place called "The Paeso" on Lat Krabang road (near the airport).
    I am normally the only farang there eating a Mcshit, but today I saw at least 20 farangs scratching their arses with nothing to do..
    On my drive home I passed The Grand Income" hotel that was chock a block with farangs standing outside looking like a scene from Day of the Dead.
    By the looks of it, all the direct flights to the affected areas of Europe are grounded. If you have a stop-over in one of the Middle-Eastern countries, then they will dump you in a hotel there (good luck if your taking one of the shite airlines!).
    The Lat Krabang/ King Kaew area is a bit of a ghost town and these tourists don't quite know what to make of it!

    It won't be long before we start hearing the sad stories about the farang who have run out of money and cannot go home. This place must stop being fun pretty quickly when the money runs out.

  17. #17
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Roasting a Hedgehog
    Posts
    12,355
    Quote Originally Posted by BobR
    This place must stop being fun pretty quickly when the money runs out.
    .... and the overstay fines start building up.....

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    Bogon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 07:20 AM
    Posts
    5,791
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    .... and the overstay fines start building up.....
    There must be hundreds of tourists stuck in Bangkok with visas expiring within the next few days.
    What is the protocol? Are they gonna lay on a load of buses and take them down to immigration for a 1900 baht extension?
    Heard of crazier things happen.

  19. #19
    Member
    Timber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    In the Kitchen
    Posts
    795
    The wifey is to fly back from Romania via Germany tomorrow....guess I get a few more days of relaxing

  20. #20
    Newbie
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last Online
    08-01-2016 @ 12:16 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    38
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeMoer View Post
    Does this affect propeller-driven aircraft, or only jets?
    Remembering the tv show of the BA flight which went through a volcanic ash storm near Indonesia it would appear that it will effect both.

    The BA plane looked as though it had been sand blasted on the outside, with close to no visability through the cockpit windows etc.

    The jet propellers were totally caked though, and eventually stopped all 4 engines. (They did get some re-started when they cleared the immediate area) But would guess that the engines were a total write-off.

    I am sure that after that episode, rules now dictate a total ban on air travel within an affected region.

  21. #21
    Scene, not herd.
    Beadle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last Online
    16-06-2010 @ 12:13 AM
    Location
    Liddle Towers
    Posts
    1,518
    Thailand will be suffering also - no European tourists arriving now or in the near future.

  22. #22
    Member
    Pink Panty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    13-09-2011 @ 05:19 PM
    Location
    somewhere
    Posts
    274
    I'm supposed to be flying to UK on 29, this month. I hope this volcano will not kick off again untill we safe in uk.

  23. #23
    Hello World
    melvbot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Infinite Loop
    Posts
    5,927
    Just think of all the environmentalists getting all hyped up about the carbon thats not being pumped into the atmosphere then popping down to Sainsburys to find out they cant get any asparagus or strawberries, must be a real dilemma for them.

    Some countries are doing test flights to asses the danger level of flying, been pretty obvious to me from the start that they could just fly above or below the bloody thing. Theres real important stuff being delayed like the Duchess of Cornwall not being able to fly from Scotland to London
    The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    Today @ 03:24 PM
    Posts
    18,509
    The air traffic control authorities take precedence and no aircraft will fly without their permission. Quite how a Kraut or Dutch test at 41,000 ft relates to safety when the aircraft will have to descend through levels where the cloud exists in order to land defeats me.

    Typical case of corporate interests trying to undermine the credibility of another organisation in order to protect their profits at the expense of those they are meant to serve.

  25. #25
    Knows fok all
    daveboy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    5,223
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil View Post
    Anyone here affected? I'm supposed to be flying to UK on Wednesday.
    Yes I was supposed to be going home on Saturday.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •