Europe

Reports of a new plume of smoke emanating from a volcano under this Icelandic glacier has ensured travel chaos around Europe continues for a sixth day.

British traffic controllers were warning of a new ash cloud headed for major air routes, as they maintained airspace restrictions on Tuesday.

Meteorologists in Iceland nonetheless say the amount of fresh ash spewing from the volcano has been reducing.

European airports have been making tentative steps towards resuming flights.

The first flights began to take off from Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport Tuesday morning.

Although relieved to finally continue their journey, one traveler said she was a little tentative about being on one of the first flights.

[Julie Bell, Passenger]:
“I think we are just a little nervous that we are the first flight flying out and just hope that we make it back to the United States, San Franciso okay.”

The restrictions over European air space have been eased by introducing a no-fly zone, rather than a blanket closure, which allows flights to take place outside the high risk areas.

When questioned whether this action could have been taken five days ago, Brian Flynn of Eurocontrol was emphatic.

[Brian Flynn, Eurocontrol]:
“Five days ago we had, six days ago now, we had an eruption of unprecedented proportions, unprecedented meteorological conditions which led to a rapid dispersion of a significant and very significant volcanic ash cloud through out large parts of Europe. The guidelines are ‘Don’t fly through it.’ We did not have accurate data on its quantity, its density, its dispersion and all the other parameters, so the only wise decision to take was to restrict European airspace to civil aircraft in the interest of the safety of the air passenger.”

In Brussel’s airport the first flights began to take off and land after five days of cancellations.

Elsewhere there’s been a mixed pattern: Swedish airspace has begun to reopen, but Poland’s closed four airports it had opened on Monday.

And Glasgow airport in Scotland opened but closed again.

Eurocontrol say they now expect around 50% of scheduled flights to take place as normal across Europe.

Duration : 0:2:14

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