Ferry News Archive
Europe's airlines and airports question flight bans
Date: 18 Apr 2010 17:00 Source: BBC NewsEurope's airlines and airports have called for an immediate reassessment of flight restrictions imposed because of volcanic ash from Iceland.
Two bodies that represent most of Europe's airlines and airports say they question the extent of the flight restrictions currently imposed.
Airlines that have carried out test flights say planes showed no obvious damage after flying through the ash.
About 20 European countries have closed their airspace and some have extended flight bans into Monday.
The flight bans came amid fears that the ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles - can seriously damage aircraft engines.
The two airline bodies, ACI Europe and AEA, said: "The eruption of the Icelandic volcano is not an unprecedented event and the procedures applied in other parts of the world for volcanic eruptions do not appear to require the kind of restrictions that are presently being imposed in Europe."
Dutch carrier KLM said it had flown a Boeing 737-800 up to the usual maximum altitude of 13km (8 miles) on Saturday.
KLM chief executive Peter Hartman, who was on board, said there was "nothing unusual" about the flight.
"If the technical examination confirms this... we then hope to get permission as soon as possible to partially restart our operations," he added.
Steven Verhagen, vice-president of the Dutch Airline Pilots Association, told the Associated Press news agency: "In our opinion there is absolutely no reason to worry about resuming flights."
Germany's two biggest airlines, Lufthansa and Air Berlin, also said they had carried out test flights without apparent damage, as did Air France.
Air Berlin spokeswoman Diana Daedelow told the BBC: "It is astonishing that these findings... have seemingly been ignored in the decision-making process of the aviation safety authorities."
Worsening disruption
UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, said "urgent discussions" were taking place between European and international agencies to ease the chaos.
We want to be able to resume flights as soon as possible, but safety remains my paramount concern," he said.
Weather experts say wind patterns mean the cloud is not likely to move far until later in the week.
Brian Flynn, head of operations at Eurocontrol - which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations - said aviation authorities were dealing with an "unknown phenomenon", but dismissed suggestions they were being over-cautious.
Since Thursday, countries across northern and central Europe have either closed airspace or shut key airports.
Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace until at least 0700 local time on Monday (0600 GMT).
Ireland is closing its airspace until 1200 GMT on Monday.
However airports in northern Spain - including Barcelona - have reopened, officials say.
Ukraine opened Kiev airport, which has been closed since Saturday.
More Ferry News from directferries.co.uk
Date: 24 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Sail across the North Sea to Europe with P&O Ferries this Summer from as little as £199 return.
Date: 18 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Travel to France this Summer with Brittany Ferries by car with an additional passenger from just £175 return or from £87.50 return if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 14 May 2012 Source: Grandi Navi Veloci
Italian ferry giant Grandi Navi Veloci have opened 2 new services connecting France with Morocco.
Date: 08 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Spend up to 2 days in France from just £99 return when you travel with Brittany Ferries by car and take an additional passenger or from £49.50 if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 05 May 2012 Source: Corsica Sardinia Ferries
If you're planning on travelling to Corsica, Sardinia or Elba this Summer with Corsica Sardinia Ferries then take a look at our new ship guides and find out what it's like onboard before you travel!
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: DFDS Seaways
Take your car by ferry to France with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais from just £19 return.
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Spend up to 5 days abroad and pay just £49 return when you travel from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries.
Date: 30 April 2012 Source: Toremar
Italian ferry operator Toremar is now available to be booked online across the direct ferries network.
Date: 25 April 2012 Source: P&O Irish Sea
Take your car on the ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 18 April 2012 Source: Stena Line
Take your car on any ferry to Northern Ireland or Ireland with Stena Line and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!