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Europe versus the volcano: days 3-4

David Stewart White's photo
European Travel Examiner

(AP Photo/Icelandic Coastguard, ho)

By DAVID S. WHITE
Examiner.com

UPDATED 17:00 EDT April 16, 2010

Nearly half of all European air traffic was halted as ash from an Icelandic volcano continued to spread east on Friday April 16. 

United Kingdom authorities extended their ban on flights until at least 1:00 a.m. Saturday, although a few flights have been allowed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Authorities in Britain closed all five London airports.  Major disruptions were felt across northern France, Germany, and the lowland countries of northern Europe. 

There were conflicting health recommendations from British and World Health Organization officials.  British health experts indicated little health concern; WHO officials were more cautious and recommended that people in affected areas remain indoors.

As of mid-afternoon Friday in Europe these countries had completely shut down flights and some countries announced plans for Saturday and Sunday.  This list is subject to change:

  • Austria—Airports closed in stages by 20:00 GMT Friday April 17. Probable continuation through Saturday
  • Belgium—Closed until 08:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Britain—Closed until 00:00 GMT Saturday some flights flew in northern areas Friday. All British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights into/out of the UK canceled Saturday
  • Bulgaria—Airports open, but many flights canceled.
  • Czech Republic—Closed.
  • Denmark—Closed until 06:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Estonia—Closed until at least 24:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Finland—Closed until 16:00 GMT Sunday.
  • France—Paris and northern airports closed until 06:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Germany—Most airports closed and all Lufthansa flights canceled until 10:00 GMT
  • Greece—Airports open.
  • Hungary—Closed from 17:00 for at least 24 hours
  • Iceland—Airports open (go figure!)
  • Ireland—Most airports reopened Friday.
  • Latvia—Closed 06:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Lithuania—Most flights canceled at discretion of airlines
  • Netherlands— Dutch airspace closed until 06:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Norway—Some flights resumed Friday.
  • Poland—Closed Friday. Saturday information unavailable.
  • Romania—Northwestern airspace closing 00:00 GMT Saturday.
  • Russia—Airports open
  • Slovakia—Closed. May reopen early Sunday.
  • Sweden—Northern airspace open for limited flights, most airports closed until sometime Saturday. Situation uncertain.
  • Switzerland—Closed until 07:00 GMT Saturday

Many transatlantic flights from the United States to central and northern Europe were canceled on April 15 and 16.  Air travel disruptions could continue for an undetermined period.

The eruption under the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokull glacier spewed huge plumes of ash on April 14 and the cloud spread east across northern Europe.  Forecasters are tracking the ash plume as it slowly drifts east across northern Europe into Russia.

Airborne volcanic ash poses a danger to aircraft when particles are ingested into jet engines. Silica in the ash melts in the high temperature engines and can form a damaging coating.  Aircraft entering ash plumes in the past have experienced shutdown of all engines.

This is a developing story.  Check back for updates.

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, European Travel Examiner

David S. White is an expert on travel to the United Kingdom and Europe. Author of "Let's Take the Kids to London" and "Beyond Downton Abbey" guidebooks, David has lived and traveled extensively in Western Europe.

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