Royal Navy sends ships for stranded travelers in Europe; UK airspace may open Tuesday. Monday, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown dispatched Royal Navy ships to help get stranded travelers home. The Defense Ministry is working to establish which areas need the most assistance.
“It may be possible to start opening some UK airspace tomorrow, and if it is, contingency arrangements are being put in place to get as many people back as soon as possible in this window that may open,” transport minister Andrew Adonis told Sky News television Monday.
“During the course of this morning there has been a dramatic decrease in volcanic activity from Iceland,” Adonis said and added that the Met Office and the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) are currently analyzing information.
For five days, the ash cloud that has hung over Europe has left travelers stranded around the world. Although many European airports are closed, ground travel has been heavily affected as well. Trains, boats, and automobiles are being fully utilized to get travelers home.
"I believe this is one of the most serious transport disruptions we have faced," Brown said. "It's got financial consequences as well as human consequences and we will do everything in our power to make sure all the arrangements are in place to help people where possible to get back home."
This is the largest worldwide flight disruption since the 2001 terrorist attacks when all airports around the US were closed for several days.
Wednesday, a volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland created a massive ash cloud. The volcano occurred below the glacial ice in Iceland and the cold water chilled the lava very quickly and created small pieces of glass that were carried up into the ash cloud.
It is dangerous for an engine of an airplane to fly near the ash and causes a significant safety risk for passengers. As a result, airports are closed and tens of thousands of flights in Europe have been cancelled. Travelers have been stranded on six continents around the world.
Five test flights (without passengers) were sent out Sunday over Europe with no problems or damage reported, but European Union officials have yet to allow the air space to open up. Some smaller airports in Europe have reopened, but the larger ones remain closed. Airlines were hoping to open at least half of their flights by Monday afternoon, but so far no word has been given.
To see photos of the massive Iceland ash cloud, click here.
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Sources: CNN and Straits Times
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