Flight Chaos Continues Due To Volcanic Ash

The severe disruptions to air traffic in Europe occurring because of the eruption of an Icelandic volcano are projected to continue over the 17-18 April 2010 weekend. Air space closures remain in place in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Switzerland, while partial restrictions are in effect in Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. There is a potential that additional countries could face disruptions depending on the volcano's activity and wind patterns. Disruptions are expected to persist for several days at a minimum, and possibly sporadically for several weeks. In the United Kingdom, air space restrictions will remain in effect until 1300 local time on 17 April at the earliest, though the flight ban could be extended. Flight restrictions in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been lifted, and airports in northern England – including Liverpool (eggp/lpl) and Manchester (egcc/man) airports – may be operational between 0400 and 1000 local time on 17 April. British Airways has cancelled all of its flights into and out of London-area airports scheduled for 17 April, while a limited number of the airline's flights will operate into Scottish airports. Ireland reopened most of its air space on 16 April but airports in Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Shannon are closed and will not reopen until the morning of 17 April. Irish-based low-cost carrier Ryanair has cancelled all of its flights to and from northern European destinations until 1200 UTC on 19 April. German aviation officials closed 15 of the country's 16 international airports on 16 April, with Munich International Airport (EDDM/MUC) the only facility remaining operational. In France, dozens of airports in the northern area of the country are closed, including Paris' Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (lfpg/cdg), Orly (LFPO/ORY) and Le Bourget (lfpb/lbg) airports. According to the French civil aviation authority, the airports will remain closed until at least 1200 local time on 17 April. Italian officials are expected to close Milan's Malpensa Airport (limc/mxp) during the morning hours on 17 April, but there are no indications that Fiumicino Airport (lirf/fco) will be affected. Many airports in Scandinavia and the Baltic states are closed and are not expected to open until 17 April at the earliest. Commercial flight passengers should contact their airline prior to travelling to the airport to check the status of the airport and the flight. Most airlines are allowing passengers to rebook without penalties for flights affected by the air space closures. Because flight operations are not set to resume for several days, travellers should consider making alternate arrangements to travel by road or rail. It should be noted, however, that trains and other forms of ground transportation are fully booked in many locations, and it may be difficult to arrange services. It is not known when conditions will improve enough to resume flights. Even when flights do restart, delays are likely to continue for several days as airlines accommodate the backlog of passengers affected by the suspension of flights.