It’s been one of the most disruptive, and unusual, reasons for flight delays across the world: The cloud of volcanic ash that’s made its way from Iceland to the European continent.
Only the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2009, which closed airspace for three days, compare to the havoc the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull has created on several continents, so far paralyzing air travel for five days.
Not only have millions of travelers been left stranded, and camping out in airports in places like New York City, but airlines have been forced to cancel thousands of flights – with some carriers losing an estimated $250 million a day, according to The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/04/19/world/international-us-europe-air.html?_r=1
The financial impact of the air shutdown, with the stoppage of product shipments, has been devastating, straining a global economy that already in a dreadful recession.
Flights to and from Europe were suspended for fear that the toxic volcanic ash wafting down from Iceland would disable jet engines. Volcanic ash can wreak havoc on planes. It can remove aerodynamic surfaces and damage windshields. And the hot temperatures of a plane engine can melt the ash into glass, disabling engines, The Times reports.
Nonetheless, on Monday government officials were blasted for their blanket shutdown of airspace over the European continent. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/world/europe/20ash.html?ref=world
Airline officials charged that governments closed down the air industry without any risk assessment or consultation about the real dangers of the volcanic ash in this instance.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for the reopening of airspace at a press conference Monday.
According to The Times, IATA head Giovanni Bisignani told reporters, “We must move away from this blanket closure and find ways to flexibly open airspace step by step.”
The European Commission said it might compensate airlines $250 million a day for losses. British Airways alone is losing $22 million to $30 million a day, The Times says, and it will seek reimbursement.
Countries such as Austria have reopened their airports, but most have not.
Some air carriers have conducted their own tests regarding flying through the volcanic ash and they, including Dutch KLM, want to fly. In fact, KLM did send to planes to Asia on Sunday.
It would seem to be a wise course for European governments to do some joint tests before letting air traffic resume at the risk of lives.