Northern Europe significant flight disruptions due to volcanic ash

Flying with Fish has a nice recap of why volcanic ash is so dangerous to aircraft.  Here in the Pacific frequent flyers are somewhat used to cancellations or route detours to avoid ash clouds – especially around Indonesia but also throughout the “ring of fire”. In Europe it is more unusual.

The impact on flights from the Iceland eruption is becoming widespread as the ash cloud spreads.  Reykjavik in Iceland remains open but much of Northern Europe is affected or is expected to be over the next day or so.

Currently airspace is closed in Ireland, UK, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, France.  Neighbouring countries from Spain through to Russia are also being affected.

This can change with the winds and developments in the eruption, so if you are travelling to or through Europe in the next few days at least keep an eye out for disruptions.  While airline compensation does not apply due to “act of god”, airlines still have a duty of care responsibility to travellers (eg EU 261/2004 covers accommodation for affected passengers).

For those who haven’t yet commenced their trip, most airlines are allowing free date changes.

Edited to add – links to airline specific news and information as posted on Flyer Talk can be found here.