UK airports reopen; tourists continue to suffer

There was some respite for air travellers in the United Kingdom after two of its major international airports-Heathrow and Gatwick-reopened on Monday following which all flight restrictions were lifted.
Flights resumed landing and taking off from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
The authorities warned travellers that it would take time for the airlines to clear the backlog of delayed flights. They have advised passengers to contact their airlines before leaving for the airport.
Airports across the country were slowly recovering from the sporadic shutdowns. All British and Irish airspace were open now except for smaller airports.
Meanwhile, aviation officials came under fire over their decision to impose the no-fly zone. A no-fly zone had been imposed across several countries in northern Europe due to dense volcanic ash drifting down from Iceland.
Some airlines officials called it a gross over-reaction to a very minor risk.
With summer holidays started in schools, it is also the time for annual holiday for many Indian families. But the ash cloud could not have appeared at a worse time. Several families' well-laid plans for foreign visits went for a toss with flight disruptions in Europe.
Air India flights from Kolkata to London were terminated at Delhi causing major inconvenience to passengers. Adding to their woes, the authorities at Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport were unable in giving precise information about when the operations would get back to normal.
18/05/10 Headlines Today/India Today

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Categories: Airports May 2010, Foreign May 2010, Indian Aviation- In General May 2010