Developments in volcanic ash affecting air travel

Weather conditions aren't set to change over Europe until Friday, meaning the volcanic ash may linger over the continent until then, a spokeswoman from Britain's weather service, the Met Office, said.
Starting Friday, southwesterly winds will start taking the ash away from the United Kingdom, the spokeswoman said Tuesday.
About 14,000 flights were expected to operate in European airspace Tuesday, half of scheduled air traffic, according to Eurocontrol, the intergovernmental body that manages European air travel. By the end of Tuesday, more than 95,000 flights will have been canceled since the ash shut down airspace on Thursday, Eurocontrol said.
All European airspace is available above 20,000 feet, Eurocontrol said. Lower air space is closed or severely restricted across Europe, it said.
FedEx announced its FedEx Express service would resume intercontinental flights via Europe, though not on a full schedule. It warned there may still be delays on inbound and outbound shipments from affected areas. Items will be prioritized on a "first in, first out" basis.

Indian authorities on Tuesday announced a two-week visa extension for Europe-bound foreign travelers stranded in the country because of the volcano. About 9,000 passengers booked by state-run Air India and private carrier Jet Airways have been left stranded, according to Indian civil aviation authorities.
Air India has resumed flights to Chicago, Illinois; New York's JFK airport; and Newark, New Jersey, from Mumbai and New Delhi, the civil aviation ministry said. The airline has two planes stranded at London's Heathrow and one at Frankfurt, it added.
India's Jet Airways has restarted its U.S. and Canada flights via Athens, Greece. The airline hopes Europe-bound passengers can travel onwards from Athens to other destinations on the continent.
21/04/10 CNN

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Apr 2010, Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2010