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Chaplain tells of airport chaos as UK airspace has been closed

Airspace over the United Kingdom has been officially closed to all but emergency aircraft as a massive volcanic ash cloud caused by an eruption in Iceland moves across the country, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

London's Premier Radio station reports that thousands of flights have been cancelled as a cloud of volcanic dust threatens the safety of aircraft. It is expected that planes will be grounded until at least 6pm London time Thursday.

Premier Radio says British Airways said there won't be any flights until at least Friday. Ryanair also cancelled all flights and warned of cancellations and delays tomorrow.

Deacon Chris Dobson is a chaplain at Gatwick Airport. Speaking to Premier he described the scene there.

“It’s absolutely choc-a-block. Every seat is taken in the terminals. There are people sitting on the floor and people anxiously awaiting news as to whether there will be any flights taking off today,” Dobson said.

Justine Harris was due to fly out to San Diego tomorrow to see family. She said she'll be devastated if she can't make it.

Harris said: “It is an act of nature. There is nobody to get cross with. I am going out to see my dad. It’s his 70th Birthday next week and it’s the first time I am bringing my kids over to see him. We have a big family reunion and we were all so excited and now we just don’t know if we are going.

She added: “The worry for me and for anyone else using an airport tomorrow is that it’s going to be absolute chaos.”

Premier Radio said the Icelandic volcano continues to erupt, sending plumes of ash into the atmosphere which is moving south across Scandinavia, Britain, France and Belgium. Flights across Europe, and to and from the United States are also affected.

The radio station explained that volcanic ash can jam aircraft machinery if a plane flies through it, contaminate the atmosphere in the cabin, and damage the plane’s electronics. Forecasters said the ash could take days to disperse.

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TAGS: United Kingdom UK airspace closure volcanic ash cloud eruption in Iceland

[04/16/2010]

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