I wonder if the Volcano is going to affect Pete's trip to Europe?

[hookedonears]

I know the trip is a little ways away, but Airlines are going to be trying to get people home and I can see this being a mess for months.

 

[peanut1967]

I live in the UK, Manchester area, my car is full of dust, we think its volcano dust.

 

[Becx N Gav]

So far it's affecting the more northern parts of Europe, as far as I know Barcelona airport is still operating. I'm not sure of the flight paths for transatlantic flights though? I know planes from the UK go north over or near Iceland and then come down the Canadian coast - even flights to Orlando. However one time we were delayed leaving Orlando and they took a more direct route. They may be shifting the flight paths further south but I'm guessing they only have a certain capacity.

Reports at the moment are predicting at least another 24 hours of disruption but it could increase. I know the avaition authority have banned flights until 01.00 Sunday.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I live in the UK, Manchester area, my car is full of dust, we think its volcano dust.

Beautiful clear skies here in Northants - I'm suprised it's not visible from the ground

 

[alebisi]

I live in the far northeast of Italy and we haven't been affected in anyway, neither Spain or Italy so I think it will be fine for Pete's trip.

 

[disneyholic family]

yes, spain hasn't yet been affected - though there was mention in today's report that the cloud is moving south....so i guess it's difficult to predict what will happen..

as far as transatlantic flights - there still are flights, as long as they're not to affected areas..

just the transatlantic flights to affected areas have been canceled...

(e.g, there are still flights from the US to Spain, southern Italy, etc)

 

[alebisi]

ok so I did a little reaserch, North Italy has been affected, flights were suspended just this morning. But maybe it will pass by soon, I still don't get it why our climate (here at Trieste) hasn't been affected in anyway (no sulphate smell or weird coloured clouds).

 

[jcb]

NASA tracks the eruption cloud with satellite images here: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/iceland-volcano-plume.html

The concern with aircraft is that ash and jet engines are not a good combination.

 

[SamSam]

Hopefully by the time they go the dust clouds will have dissipated.

 

[Cyrano]

Woke up to a car covered in a light dusting of ash

 

[Brit_Jude]

I am wondering how many peoples Disney vacation this is effecting....both those who can't get to Florida and those who are stuck and may not have a room and budget to be on an extended vacation. I wonder how/what Disney is doing to help. I was just on the Weddings and Honeymoon board and there is Dis member there worried as she is supposed to travel from the UK for her wedding on 24 April and is worried she won't be able to travel if the ash doesn't disipate enough for the flights to resume.

 

[disneyholic family]

I am wondering how many peoples Disney vacation this is effecting....both those who can't get to Florida and those who are stuck and may not have a room and budget to be on an extended vacation. I wonder how/what Disney is doing to help. I was just on the Weddings and Honeymoon board and there is Dis member there worried as she is supposed to travel from the UK for her wedding on 24 April and is worried she won't be able to travel if the ash doesn't disipate enough for the flights to resume.

even if the flights resume in time for her wedding, it will take a week or two to get everything back to normal...

there are lots of people stranded all over the world....the BBC website has lots of stories of stranded travelers - some in really difficult situations...

and yes, there are people who have run out of money and are stuck..
not everyone travels with a credit card...some travel with cash/travelers cheques and a specific budget.....not easy...

and for now, there's no end in sight..

there are a few dis'rs who hang out on the dis UK boards who've posted their stories...
some are stuck in orlando, some are stuck in the UK, unable to leave on their holidays...

 

[Racey]

Beautiful clear skies here in Northants - I'm suprised it's not visible from the ground

the cloud sits at 30,000 ft so your not going to see it (hence why local private single seaters are allowed to fly still, *** they dont go up that high)

I could think of nothing better than getting stuck whilst on holiday :O), but i do feel for those who have problems (money, jobs etc), and delays starting their hols

 

[Tink rules]

They said also that people who can afford to fly private... (yeah... that's me... ) are chartering helicopters because they can fly low and flying to places that are open...

I have a feeling this is going to be on and off for a while...

& they said on the news here last night (nbc, I think...) that they are waiting because historically after this volcano goes... the bigger one goes on Iceland...

Or as they said... Mother Nature is reminding us the earth belongs to her...

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I just read on another site that restrictions have been put in place for both Madrid and Barcelona today. Of all the things you worry about when trip planning, this isn't one of them!

Hope it clears up soon

 

[Becx N Gav]

This shows the airport status of the ones in Europe - it's moving south.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/15/world/europe/airport-closings-graphic.html

Barcelona wasn't fully closed earlier today

I'm hoping the test flights will show it's ok to fly.

 

[disneyholic family]

This shows the airport status of the ones in Europe - it's moving south.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/15/world/europe/airport-closings-graphic.html

Barcelona wasn't fully closed earlier today

I'm hoping the test flights will show it's ok to fly.

what airline is pete flying? in the graph it says that iberia is canceling its flights to spain, even to the airports that are still open...

i think this new graph answers your question from the UK board....with the ash cloud moving south, and now hitting barcelona, i think you have to bite the bullet and make your arrangements to get there by land/sea.....
i don't know if pete/walter/max will make it, but for sure yvette/emiel will ....

 

[Gav N Becx]

We are due to fly out to Barcelona on Saturday morning for the cruise but are now looking at alternative ground routes as a backup.
Seriously considering paying £360 for full fare Eurostar tickets London to Paris on Friday (full fare so we can get a refund if the airlines resume service and we fly instead).
Then we're looking at getting an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona - at least this will guarantee us making the cruise.

Couldn't miss this, especially with some of the great stuff we're going to be doing!

Even if flights do resume, we are seriously worried about there being delays etc and not getting to the port in time. Our flight gets us to Barcelona at 11am on Saturday, so a knock on delay of services could mean we miss the boat. I really never ever expected all of this. Thank goodness we are one of the lucky ones and actually able to make alternative arrangements if needs be, even if it does cost us several hundred pounds to do so.

Pete is flying with Delta. Apparently he has heard that nothing is going out of the US until at least Wednesday (the day they are due to fly). Pete also mentioned that DCL is preparing to make alternate arrangements for anyone who can't get out. Exactly what those alternate arrangements are, I don't know. Hoping to get a chance to catch up with him before heading out....
We may also get in touch with DCL to find out more but at the moment we're keeping our fingers crossed that normal airline services resume by midweek. Maybe that's too hopeful ?????

 

[wishspirit]

We are due to fly out to Barcelona on Saturday morning for the cruise but are now looking at alternative ground routes as a backup.
Seriously considering paying £360 for full fare Eurostar tickets London to Paris on Friday (full fare so we can get a refund if the airlines resume service and we fly instead).
Then we're looking at getting an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona - at least this will guarantee us making the cruise.

Couldn't miss this, especially with some of the great stuff we're going to be doing!

Even if flights do resume, we are seriously worried about there being delays etc and not getting to the port in time. Our flight gets us to Barcelona at 11am on Saturday, so a knock on delay of services could mean we miss the boat. I really never ever expected all of this. Thank goodness we are one of the lucky ones and actually able to make alternative arrangements if needs be, even if it does cost us several hundred pounds to do so.

Pete is flying with Delta. Apparently he has heard that nothing is going out of the US until at least Wednesday (the day they are due to fly). Pete also mentioned that DCL is preparing to make alternate arrangements for anyone who can't get out. Exactly what those alternate arrangements are, I don't know. Hoping to get a chance to catch up with him before heading out....
We may also get in touch with DCL to find out more but at the moment we're keeping our fingers crossed that normal airline services resume by midweek. Maybe that's too hopeful ?????

I really hope things work out for you!

 

[msteddom]

My parent are in Italy. They were supposed to fly home out of Milan on Tuesday. Now, who knows? I'm sure they'll make the best of it!

Melissa