Icelandic Volcanic Eruption - Significant Disruption to UK Flights

RobertN · 15 Apr 2010 at 08:52

has a volcano ever led to mass flight cancelations before in the uk ?

DreadNiK · 15 Apr 2010 at 08:57

I'm supposed to be flying to Amsterdam after lunch tomorrow - anyone got any idea how likely that is now?

Apparently all flights out of London airports are cancelled from 1130h today

The ironic thing is, the person I'm going with, his name is Ash

daz · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:00

DreadNiK said:
I

The ironic thing is, the person I'm going with, his name is Ash

That's not ironic, that's an omen

4T5 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:01

DreadNiK said:
The ironic thing is, the person I'm going with, his name is Ash

What's the chances of that then ?

/Harry Hill.

Go on a night crossing ferry instead it's a right laugh. :cool:

Vauxmad · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:19

This has got me worried - i am due to fly on sunday! Flying from manchester to heathrow and then on to Vegas.

Is this likely to still be causing problems then or is it a case of no way of knowing?

Dark88 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:20

I'm due to fly at 1.30, just watching cancellations move down the departure board at the mo :/

Electronic Dave · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:24

Well I know what we can do with all those face masks left over from the swine flu 'pandemic' - they'll be available in supermarkets from tommorrow.

Seriously I thought my local news was on the waccy baccy - then I saw it on the main BBC News...perhaps it'll all blow over! Oh bad pun alert!!! (install panic button here)

People with flights booked will be going wtf? what a headache...

Westyfield2 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:35

Heathrow shut from 12:00.

**** this is bad!

Cuchulain · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:36

My parents are supposed to be flying here first thing tomorrow for my daughters christening, on the plus side I might not have to drive to Belfast to pick them up.

Blinkz · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:50

Hey guys, trust me it might be annoying to have flights cancelled/delayed but you do NOT want to be a plane that flys through an Ash cloud. Most flights around the UK today will be cancelled and the majority will probably be cancelled or delayed tomorrow. the London VAACs forcast is currently this:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1271309704.png

4T5 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:51

What are people moaning about ?

"Oi, Let me on my flight so I can Crash & burn" :eek:

+

Westyfield2 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:56

malc30 said:
What are people moaning about ?

"Oi, Let me on my flight so I can Crash & burn" +

Forgive me for being stupid but.... if the problem is that there's Ash up high, then why don't they get the planes to fly lower?

Cosimo · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:57

THe latest from the BAA:

Major disruption expected
Last updated: 09:15

Following advice from the Met Office, the national air traffic service (NATS) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the UK from Iceland.

These measures currently affect Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, which are closed. Passengers are instructed NOT to travel to these airports. All arriving and departing flights are currently suspended.

We anticipate that all flights in and out of Heathrow and Stansted airports will be suspended from 12:00 today. Therefore, we strongly advise passengers intending to fly from this time not to travel to the airport today.

We will provide further updates as we get more information from NATS.

Latest from NATS:

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 09:30

From midday today until at least 6pm, there will be no flights permitted in UK controlled airspace other than emergency situations. This has been applied in accordance with international civil aviation policy. We continue to monitor the situation with the Met Office and work closely with airline customers and adjoining countries.

http://www.nats.co.uk/

Wyrdo · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:57

The in-laws and my brother in law and his wife have just had their flight to Lanzarote cancelled so they're on their way back from Newcastle airport.

clv101 · 15 Apr 2010 at 09:59

The eruption could go on for weeks, even months. Impact depends on winds but this could have an amazing impact.

dannyjo22 · 15 Apr 2010 at 10:02

malc30 said:
What are people moaning about ?

"Oi, Let me on my flight so I can Crash & burn" +

Moaning? It's just people upset as you would be. My sister and her other half have saved for a couple of years for a trip to do a small tour of the states. She is stuck at Heathrow and will likely not get out in time to take the holiday, so her two year planned trip is ruined, not only that she will have to come back and have the rest of her holiday booked time off sat at home.

These things happen she will accept it's not safe to fly but I can understand why thats frustrating and there's also no one you can point the blame at.

I'm gutted these things always happen when i'm off shift. All our flights are cancelled so my chance to have an easier day than normal would have been great if i was at work.

Beasty · 15 Apr 2010 at 10:13

Brother's flight cancelled, nothing till Saturday now, gutted for him

Obviously not anyone's fault and the right thing but still gutting.

XeNoN89 · 15 Apr 2010 at 10:13

http://www.flightradar24.com/

Much of the UK airspace is already empty, after midday this should be completely empty

Sp00n · 15 Apr 2010 at 10:14

Parents are due back from vegas in the next couple of day suppose I should better let them know!

Sp00n · 15 Apr 2010 at 10:16

dannyjo22 said:
Moaning? It's just people upset as you would be. My sister and her other half have saved for a couple of years for a trip to do a small tour of the states. She is stuck at Heathrow and will likely not get out in time to take the holiday, so her two year planned trip is ruined, not only that she will have to come back and have the rest of her holiday booked time off sat at home.

These things happen she will accept it's not safe to fly but I can understand why thats frustrating and there's also no one you can point the blame at.

I'm gutted these things always happen when i'm off shift. All our flights are cancelled so my chance to have an easier day than normal would have been great if i was at work.

Um... insurance?

Tis harsh though, 2 years of planning down the pan

XeNoN89 said:
http://www.flightradar24.com/

Thats the craziest thing I've ever seen, didn't have any idea you could get that kind of info in the interwebz!