Ash Cloud Over Europe Stalls Flights

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REYKJAVIK, ICELAND (GaeaTimes.com)- Several thousands of air passengers continue to be stranded at a number of airports in the UK and other European countries for the second consecutive day as the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano shows no signs of ending its eruption and fume emission. The massive ash cloud created by the volcano is still lingering over European sky and it has brought air traffic to a standstill since Wednesday. The major UK based airports like Heathrow and Gatwick had to keep their operation suspended. So far 3000 flights have been suspended owing to the ash cloud and more than 300000 passengers have been inconvenienced.

The travelers and tourists at European airports have suffered the worst and they are having a tough time looking for accommodation in adjacent hotels. The National Air Traffic Service made it clear that the British airspace would remain closed till today. The European flights agency, Eurocontrol issued a warning saying that the ash cloud over Europe could persist for over 48 hours and flying air-crafts amidst it would be risky for the airlines. The lineup of suspended flights is an indication that a ripple effect would persist at most of the UK and European airports till the weekend.

The scientists are of the opinion that the prediction over the duration of volcanic eruptions may not be accurate. The eruption may subside in a few days or it may last for weeks. Even intercontinental operators like Lufthansa are incurring losses as all their flights to the UK and other European countries have been canceled. This is possibly the first time that the UK airspace has been closed down owing to ash cloud over Europe.