May 18, 2010 – UK and Ireland have agreed to create Ash Routes to reduce cancellations of aircraft.
Air passengers are facing further misery as the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud returned, causing Scotland and Ireland to restrict flights.The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has imposed a no-fly zone over the country between 7am and 1pm.The decision comes after the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC) said a plume of ash is threatening to drift across the country. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Volcano-Ash-Ireland-And-Scotland-Airspaces-Closed-As-Ash-Cloud-Returns/Article/201005115624505?lpos=UK_News_News_Your_Way_Region_8&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15624505_Volcano_Ash%3A_Ireland_And_Scotland_Airspaces_Closed_As_Ash_Cloud_Returns
April 22, 2010 = Cruise lines are scrambling to recover from the broad shutdown in air travel in Europe caused by volcanic ash from Iceland.Read: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/22/1591487/ash-hurts-cruise-lines-too.html
April 21, 2010 = So, Airspace is now open and a backlog of almost a week with passengers in the US having to wait till maybe 1st week of May to get a plane back to UK and let us not forget many stories of cruise passengers who had booked Air/Cruise packages told they are on their own after they left the ship. Not a good result, not all cruise lines but we can expect to see complaints and public relation posturing by Cruise Lines.The above BBC link also takes about Insurance.. a very good read.= TUESDAY 20 APRIL….All UK airports will reopen from 2200 BST, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announces;= about folks wanting to use Curnard as a way to get to New York or return.
http://www.travelweekly.com/article3_ektid213278.aspx
Summary, majority of transatlantic flights were cancelled in North America and UK, Europe. The ash can cause engine problems at a high altitude and airport flights being cancelled had an effect in stranding passengers, one example is cruise passengers getting to their destinations or not able to return
