UK Airspace Reopens
Posted April 20, 2010 7:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The United Kingdom has joined other European countries in reopening its airspace as the threat from Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud dissipates.
The British government said Tuesday all of its airports – including Heathrow in London – would reopen at 5pm EST and resume passenger travel.
Hopes of flights resuming at Europe’s busiest airport seemed dim earlier in the day after the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano that’s hindered airline operations for several days spewed a new plume of ash.
British Airways now says it plans to land as many as 25 flights Tuesday evening.
And flights have resumed at several terminals, including France’s Charles De Gaulle Airport. Frustrated French and Belgian travelers in Toronto staged a protest at the Air Canada desk at Pearson International Monday demanding help getting home.
A small number of flights resumed in Scotland. Airports in central Europe and Scandinavia have reopened and Spain has offered itself as an emergency hub for stranded travelers trying to get home overseas.
Asian airlines are erring on the side of caution and most flights to and from Europe remained grounded Tuesday. Australian airline Qantas also cancelled its Asia-Europe flights.
According to the Eurocontrol air traffic agency, about 55 per cent of flights were set to resume Tuesday and takeoffs would be close to normal on Wednesday.
The drifting ash is currently affecting airspace between Iceland and Britain and Ireland. The area over the Baltic Sea is also in the no-fly zone. The ash also drifted west toward Canada’s east coast.
Europe’s air travel industry has taken a serious hit, losing more than $1 billion since the ash plume grounded flights last week. One analyst claims the Canadian industry has already lost approximately $20 million.
The International Pilots’ Association said Tuesday a return to flight operations in Europe must be based on safety and not economic reasons.
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