Icelandic Volcanic Eruption - Significant Disruption to UK Flights

Tikkabhuna · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:44

We had a BBQ yesterday and my mates mum phoned the house to tell us that if any dust falls on the bbq not to eat the food. We were so prepared to eat burger and volcanic ash!

mjt · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:45

Andr3w · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:49

What was the result of the flight that the small plane did to sample the air?

Hambut_Bulge · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:50

We're all doomed!!! Again...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...s-to-avoid-falling-volcanic-ash-says-WHO.html

Honestly, do we really need public health announcements about this? It's not as though we're standing next to the bl**dy crater.. :rolleyes:

mjt · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:52

Hambut_Bulge said:
We're all doomed!!! Again...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...s-to-avoid-falling-volcanic-ash-says-WHO.html

Honestly, do we really need public health announcements about this? It's not as though we're standing next to the bl**dy crater..

People with lung conditions like emphysema and asthma should stay indoors if volcanic ash starts to settle, a spokesman for the World Health Organisation said today.

What's wrong with that? The WHO is doing it's job.. :confused:

Some people with respitory conditions may not realise that the ash could be harmful.

Amp34 · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:56

philstanbridge said:
Ta for the updates Simulatorman.. It suggests the cloud is actually stalling and will then be blown back over northern England. This is a nightmare My sister in law in stuck in Portugal at the moment - she was due back to Prestwick on Sunday. She flew out with Ryanair and she has been told no flights until later next week! THey are now looking at hiring a car and driving, but we have pointed out that it will be unlikely they can get a ferry/Eurostar anytime soon either, so they are a bit stuffed.

Have they looked into hiring a car and heading to Santander, then (depending on luggage) leaving the car there and going as foot passengers on the Seafrance Santander-Plymouth/Portsmouth?

Don't know how packed that is at the moment and it may be quicker.

Amp34 · 16 Apr 2010 at 22:59

Hambut_Bulge said:
We're all doomed!!! Again...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...s-to-avoid-falling-volcanic-ash-says-WHO.html

Honestly, do we really need public health announcements about this? It's not as though we're standing next to the bl**dy crater..

Actually standing by the crater is probably fine at the moment.

Berserker · 16 Apr 2010 at 23:05

Amp34 said:
Don't know how packed that is at the moment and it may be quicker.

Probably very. I heard on a news programme (can't remember if it was national or local) that at least one of the routes was completely sold out - even to foot passengers. Wouldn't be at all surprised if most of the routes were like that.

Amp34 · 16 Apr 2010 at 23:24

Berserker said:
Probably very. I heard on a news programme (can't remember if it was national or local) that at least one of the routes was completely sold out - even to foot passengers. Wouldn't be at all surprised if most of the routes were like that.

I know the main routes are, however santander isn't quite Dover to Calais so there's a chance not.

EDIT: Should have said Britanny ferries not Sea france... http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/286

Slinky1989 · 16 Apr 2010 at 23:51

Faint smell of rotten eggs outside here in swindon. My flight's now been rescheduled for next friday

Berserker · 17 Apr 2010 at 00:25

Humble apologies - that was probably me.

I may as well go investigate as I'm not that far from Swindon (though my sinuses are currently shot thanks to the dreaded hayfever).

Cr0fty · 17 Apr 2010 at 00:33

"slinky" I for one smell nothing of the sort

Kristoph · 17 Apr 2010 at 05:42

All UK flights grounded completely.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8626686.stm

Flights across the whole of the UK have been grounded once again amid worsening forecasts of the threat the volcanic ash cloud could pose to aircraft.

And also;

At the same time, the continuing ban on flights in England and Wales was extended from 1300 BST until 1900 BST.

Slinky1989 · 17 Apr 2010 at 07:38

Well I could smell it last night but can't this morning so nerrrr

LabR@t · 17 Apr 2010 at 08:00

Katla is a volcano in Iceland. It is situated to the north of Vík í Mýrdal and to the east of the smaller glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Its peak reaches 1,512 metres (4,961 ft) in height and is partially covered by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier with an area of 595 km².

The crater of the volcano has a diameter of 10 km and the volcano normally erupts every 40–80 years. The last major eruption occurred in 1918, although there may have been a small eruption in 1955.[1] Since 930, 16 eruptions have been documented. The Eldgjá canyon is part of the same volcanic system.[2][3] It is thought that Katla is the source of the Vedde Ash (more than 6 to 7 cubic kilometers (1.4 to 1.7 cu mi) of tephra dated to 10,600 years BP)[1][4][5][6] found at a number of sites including Norway, Scotland and North Atlantic cores.

Before the Hringvegur (Iceland's Ring Road) was constructed, people feared traversing the plains in front of the volcano because of the frequent glacier outburst floods and the deep river crossings. Especially dangerous was the glacier outburst that followed the eruption of 1918. Katla has been showing signs of unrest since 1999 and geologists have concerns that it might erupt in the near future.[7] Particularly, monitoring has been intensified following the March 2010 eruption of the volcano beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.[8] The eruption of this nearby long-dormant volcano in March and April 2010 prompted fears among some geophysicists that it might trigger an eruption at Katla.[9][10][11]

At the peak of the 1755 eruption the flood discharge has been estimated at 200,000–400,000 m³/s; for comparison, the combined average discharge of the Amazon,
Mississippi, Nile, and Yangtze rivers is about 266,000 m³/s.

We are going to see the air quiet for a long time yet, the end game has commenced.

sanaxe1 · 17 Apr 2010 at 08:29

Is there any estimates on how much this is costing us in terms of lost revenue from tourism etc.

Cosimo · 17 Apr 2010 at 08:33

Latest NATS update:

Saturday April 17: Latest update at 0415 (UK Time)

Following the latest information from the MET Office, NATS advises that restrictions across UK controlled airspace have been extended until at least 1900 (UK Time) today Saturday 17 April and that restrictions to Scottish and Manchester airspace have been re-applied until the same time.

Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday. We are continuing to look for windows of opportunity to handle individual flights in UK controlled airspace.

The next update will be at approximately 0900 (UK time) as planned.

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

Latest Volcanic Ash Advisory:

Charlie Bravo · 17 Apr 2010 at 08:39

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Saturday April 17, 0830

The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.

We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficiently for us to make some airspace available within Scotland and Northern Ireland, which may enable some domestic flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC; we will be coordinating this closely with airlines and airports. It is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 1500 (UK time).

Vauxmad · 17 Apr 2010 at 08:43

sanaxe1 said:
Is there any estimates on how much this is costing us in terms of lost revenue from tourism etc.

On the news they have just said its costing the aviation industry £150million a DAY!

LabR@t · 17 Apr 2010 at 09:16

sanaxe1 said:
Is there any estimates on how much this is costing us in terms of lost revenue from tourism etc.

10 million a day hit for air firms sky news reported