Volcano continues erupting: Italy closes airspace. Air industry losing $200 million a day.

[sixmile]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/17/volcano-ash-cloud-flight-_n_541489.html

'The aviation industry, already reeling from a punishing period, is facing at least $200 million in losses every day, according to the International Air Transport Association.'

JFK looks like "refugee camp"

'Around the world, anxious passengers have told stories of missed weddings, business deals and holidays because of the ominous plume. Stranded passengers reported the delays were causing financial hardships. Some had to check out of hotels and sleep in airports.

"It's like a refugee camp," said Rhiannon Thomas, of Birmingham, England, describing the scene at New York's Kennedy Airport.

Her family spent the night at the airport Friday, and may be there for days before they can get a flight home. "At least we got beds," said Thomas' mother, Pat, referring to the hundreds of narrow blue cots brought in to JFK's Terminal 4. "Some people slept on cardboard."'

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aWhdMivcLsNg

Europe cuts 77% of flights; no relief until April 22
'European airlines canceled more than 77 percent of their flights today as most of the continent’s northern and central nations remained closed to air traffic because of volcanic ash. Accuweather predicted little change until April 22.

No flights will operate out of the U.K. until at least 7 a.m. London time tomorrow, the National Air Traffic Service said today via e-mail. German airports will remain closed until 8 a.m. Berlin time tomorrow, the DFX air traffic control agency said. The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, or Eurocontrol, expects about 5,000 flights across Europe today, compared with 22,000 on a “normal” Saturday, it said today in a statement.'

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. There are two international cheer competitions running from Thursday to

Sunday this week, and we're now wondering how many of the European teams will make it over here. :(

[sixmile]

2. Lou Dobbs was unable to see his daughter in the Rolex equestrian world cup!

Heavens!
http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/volcanic_impact_on_glitterati_BUqRgDqhwil81w2d6K1SNM
'Former CNN host Lou Dobbs was marooned in the US, unable to catch a flight to watch his equestrian daughter, Hillary, compete at the Rolex FEI World Cup in Geneva, although her mom, Debi Dobbs, and fiancé, Roy Wilten, made it over. The volcano also claimed a literary victim: the London Book Fair, which starts Monday, one of the most important events of the year for publishers to publicize their releases and sell subsidiary rights.'

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I can only imagine how many stories like this will be out there before the

skies clear again.

[elleng]

7. MILLIONS of such stories.

(OT, flew to Rome for honeymoon 26 years ago apr. 15. so imagine inconveniences today.)

OOPS, Europe is closed!
:cry:

[maddezmom]

4. it's been updated in the UK to 1pm

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Saturday April 17, 2045
The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 1300 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 0300 (UK time), Sunday 18 April.
http://www.nats.co.uk/

[elleng]

5. Mama MIA!

O8)

[Tesha]

6. The airline industry is a dead man walking.

Between the failing economics of the industry already, the
continuous ratcheting up of security-theatre and its attendant
hassle to the customer base, and the fact that liquid fuels
are sure to become ever-more-expensive in the future,
air travel is going to contract dramatically over the next
few decades.

It's just a question of how much how fast.

This volcanic eruption is just creating a sort of large-scale
prototype for a future that doesn't contain air transport.

Tesha

[pitohui]

11. people have been saying this for 30 years and yet the planes still fly

it was proven false after all the hysteria abt peak oil in the 70s

it was proven false after all the planes were grounded for a time after 9-11

it will be proven false again

the airline "industry" may not make money any more than than the interstate "industry" makes money and yet, because we have important transportation needs, we continue to fly and we continue to drive and those who think we're going to end up going back to the horse and buggy and maybe a cruise ship across the oceans continue to look silly

[Tesha]

12. Let's talk again in a few decades. (NT)

[JCMach1]

8. Emirates has started giving ticket refunds... which essentially means the industry

is not expecting a quick resolution.

It will definitely change my flight home plans this summer... definitely no European stopover... too much risk of getting stranded.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Gee, all those checked and overhead bag fees not being collected.

I realize it is costing the stranded passengers a budle.
But it is costing the airlines a bundle too.

[pitohui]

10. what happened to they lost $27 for every seat they sell?

isn't that what delta used to claim? seems like they should really be saving millions by not having to fly a bunch of routes

and think of all those $150/$200 change fees they're going to pick up from people, when the airports do open again

believe you me, i just don't see how the airlines can lose from this -- the employees who are losing hours, yes, but the airlines themselves? ha, they'll come out smelling like roses...

as for those who think the future won't include air transport, well, they are just being silly, if this goes on for too long, obv. there will have to be a work-around and re-routing but the future is going to include air transport, it's a global economy and those who are not grounded by the plume will eventually end up being the "winners"

we've had snowstorms/blizzards in north america that shut down air travel for large parts of the continent for days (such as march 2007) and the world didn't end, but i guess volcanoes are more glamorous than blizzards and hence the hysteria

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. They can't stop paying the employees

The employees may not get any overtime, but they'll still have to get their basic pay. And they have to refund the money for tickets that can't be used. They won't be able to charge 'change fees' for not honouring the tickets at the original date.

[lib2DaBone]

13. Maybe they will lay off the TSA Goons...

The TSA.. the gift from George W. Bush that just keeps on giving.. and giving...