Volcano Air Chaos: Latest Travel Information

 British airspace has reopened but unsafe ash levels leave a no fly zone over northern Scotland and other areas in Europe.

All British airports are now reopening and Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said he expects them to remain open. Anyone planning to go to an airport should contact their airline before starting their journey as some flights are delayed and others cancelled.

BAA have said that returning passengers with cars in airport carparks will not be charged any excess for delays caused by the ash plume. Network Rail will be keeping the rail lines serving London's airports open around the clock tonight to help get stranded air passengers home.

Airline Information

British Airways (BA) said it hopes to run all longhaul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick today.

However, there will be shorthaul cancellations to and from London airports until midday the airline said.

Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it plans to operate its normal flying schedule, in and out of London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester today.

However the airline has released this warning to passengers: 'Because of the short lead-in time, we will not be able to offer our usual range of on board catering on the flights departing from the UK.

Therefore, we advise all passengers with special dietary needs to make their own arrangements prior to boarding the flight.

KLM expects to operate all intercontinental flights to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol today. It estimates approximately 70% of all European flights are running.

Qantas is resuming flights between Europe and Asia and Europe and Australia. Services between Australia and Europe via Asia will start again tomorrow.

easyJet has said it is planning to operate 900 flights cross the UK and Europe today.

The airline says it could take several days for normal operations to resume.

bmi plans to operate flights between London Heathrow and all its UK and Ireland destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester).

A reduced schedule will operate today, while additional aircraft are sent to international destinations to rescue stranded customers.

The airline hopes to operate 75% of its international flights but urged passengers to consult its website.

Ryanair will NOT be resuming its Northern European flights (UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Poland, Baltic States and North Italy) until at least 1pm on Thursday. In addition, Ryanair has decided to cancel all of its flights between Ireland and the UK until 5am on Friday.

Jet2 say they have flights available to and from Alicante, Murcia, Palma, Nice, Faro, Malaga and Sharm el Sheikh.  Company MD Ian Doubtfire said hundreds of passengers have already started arriving home via the coaches that have been provided by the airline.

Monarch has resumed scheduled flights from all UK airports.

Monarch passengers stranded overseas can book onto flights via the website or by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 08719 40 50 40 (+44 8719 40 50 40). Europe's air traffic agency says at least 21,000 flights, around three-quarters of normal scheduled capacity, are expected to operate on Wednesday.

Air France is operating a normal service for long-haul flights departing Paris-Charles-de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, although flights in parts of northern Europe remain suspended. 

Iberia says all its flights are fully booked for a week.

Germany's airspace has been reopened with no restrictions this morning after days of closures and limited activity. But air controllers say it could be days, possibly weeks, before all stranded passengers get flights. Sweden is to gradually reopen almost all its airspace, including Stockholm's three airports and one at Gothenburg, by 2pm this afternoon. Most Finnish airports, including the main one in Helsinki, have been reopened temporarily today thanks to a break in the volcanic ash cloud. Flight restrictions at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport could begin again at 3pm.

Rail

Eurotunnel , the high speed rail link, has doubled its capacity to take an extra 20,000 people a day. Shuttles are running every 15 minutes at the normal price. Eurotunnel says it has space, but bookings must be made in advance.

National Rail expect many trains will be very busy today. They are advising passengers who are travelling long distances to reserve a seat to ensure a comfortable journey.

Network Rail say the main train lines to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports will be opened round the clock tonight to help with the backlog of passengers returning home.

Ferry

Here is the latest on ferry availability. Passengers travelling on foot are advised to expect delays but will be accomodated.  The passenger shipping association advise you check online for the latest port information.

DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam fully booked until Saturday, good availability there onwards. Amsterdam to Newcastle is full until Sunday, availability from Monday onwards. 

Harwich-Esbjerg full until next Wednesday, Esbjerg-Harwich full until next Tuesday.

P&O Ferries  have availability on the Dover-Calais route in both directions, foot passengers are advised to turn up at the port when they'll be accommodated on the next available crossing, passengers with vehicles are advised to pre-book.

LD Lines  Foot passen

Posted Date: 21st Apr 2010