Volcanic Ash cancels flights to Mallorca (and other less important places)

[Sparky]

Oh no not again, i have been chatting to a few business owners here and they are all really concerned about this, it's the last thing they need right now.

 

[joelise80]

My parents are due to fly out from Humberside airport on Tuesday for a weeks stay at the Daina. The airport is currently closed and expected to stay that way until Wednesday. I hope they get there eventually as I have given them a shopping list as I have missed my May visit this year

 

[eleanor]

Heard on the radio just now that Richard Branson is challenging the closure of airports as unwarranted. Also said it is expected to blow to the East away from UK by Tuesday. Hope your parents will be ok with their travel Joelise.

 

[Belladonna]

Airports seem to be closing and opening constantly, times suggested changing all the time. Its really hit and miss but most flights seem to be getting out with acceptable delays. Don't give up!

 

[Smiddy]

That's the spirit! I'm sure anybody who has travelled to Palma over the last 20/30 years can recall some horror stories. Annual French traffic controllers anyone?

 

[joelise80]

Well parents are hopefully arriving tomorrow - ash cloud permitting as airport has reopened - armed with Eroski shopping list

 

[jiggggy]

It looks like the cloud and the delays are going to go on and on and on! and for most people it will be days or even weeks of their hols gone. And they just cant go and book another so easily, mainly due to school hols or our work holiday rules, ie only 5 weeks per year! This is a massive problem to most of us, and it's just not so easy for some peeps to re-book hols. Lets just hope that its neighbouring volcano, Katla, doesnt erupt

 

[Smiddy]

Seems they are changing the criterea for the planes being safe to fly thru the ash clouds, as long as the manufacturer agrees! Not being dropped but at least should cut down on the amount of cancellations.

 

[gina39uk]

Volcanic Ash Update from Flybe

We received the following email from Flybe yesterday.

<<<<Breaking News for Flybe Passengers!

We know it’s been a tough time for all air travellers over the last few weeks, and we thank you for your patience in these unprecedented times. However we have some breaking news that not only is a first amongst UK airlines but is wonderful news for any of you wondering whether you might be affected in the future.

We can confirm that with immediate effect Flybe will be the first airline in the UK to be able to fly within the new CAA-approved safe levels of volcanic ash. The CAA called upon the industry to bring forward thoroughly researched proposals to safely improve the ability to fly in the vicinity of low level volcanic ash concentrations. Flybe worked closely with the Met Office, Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney our engine manufacturers in Canada to develop the proposals which have today been endorsed by the CAA. Flybe’s overriding concern is always safety, and these new rules arise from a proven process of safety management within the company and the industry which helps make air travel the safest form of public transport.

What does this actually mean for you our customers?

Well basically it means that we will be far less affected by any future ash clouds coming our way. Taking the last two days as an example, at Flybe we had to cancel 380 flights under the previous rules, the new rules we have just been given by the CAA mean we would have only have had to cancel 21. This would mean that less than 3% of our total programme would have been affected.

We thank the CAA and Met Office for their support in this work and look forward to working with them further to get the UK safely back on the move. We hope with these measures will mean you will once again feel confident in booking air travel.

Our winter flights for 2010/11 are now on sale and there are lots of bargains across the UK and Europe to be snapped up – so with this massive breakthrough get booking now at Flybe.com >>>>

Interesting!

 

[Sparky]

Great news Gina, thanks for posting it .
And Flybe are a really good airline to fly with .

 

[gina39uk]

Couldn't agree more Lyn. Hoping they are still in fine form next Monday as I shall be flying out with them again for another 'PP fix'!

See you soon for a vino or three!

 

[Sparky]

Looking forward to seeing you again Gina. x

 

[roig cat]

I am still trying to get compensation for expenses from Easyjet. My ins co, LLoydsTSB have today informed me that unless I register a claim with them by 30th June they will not pay out if Easyjet refuse to give compensation. SO just a warning to those in a similar situation, to register your claim asap with your travel ins co.even though you are seeking recompense from the airline, and do it now or you will be too late.

Having said that, we did have a rather lovely extra week in Pollensa and do feel slightly guilty about asking for accomodation costs to be refunded!

 

[lollipop]

Just to let you know my grandaughter was caught up in the ash cloud at Easter and Easy jet have confirmed they will recompense her . They replied in under the stated 28days. Should be in her bank account by now but will ask her to make sure.

 

[Deanscroft]

I wouldn´t hold your breath if I was you. I am still trying to get compensation for two flights that easyjet cancelled on December 7th last year!!!!!! Whenever I contact their customer services it is a different person and I have to explain everything again but still nothing happens.

 

[roig cat]

I have been a member of Holiday Which for 13 years and they have said that their legal team will help me but I need to leave it a little longer due to the number of claims Easyjet are processing.

I've given up on phoning them (Easyjet), Emails are replied to 14-28 days later with standard replies which are completely useless AND what gets me is their audacity to ask you to complete a satisfaction survey!! I would love to know the results of that survey and what they will change as a result?

 

[RobnAnna]

My family and I were also delayed in our return home because of the volcano,and for the life of me I dont understand why anyone would want to seek compensation from Easyjet.Exactly how are they to blame?Surely this is an act of god and maybe local churches might be more appropriate to get compensation from.Easyjet bent over backwards to get us home as soon as they safely could.Yes it did cost us more for our stay and our children missed some schooling,and my business did suffer to a small degree at the time but my customers were all rather jealous we were stuck!In my own little way I would rather Easyjet and all the other airlines who lost a lot of revenue because of the volcano stay that bit more less poor and able to take us on holiday again,and not to go under because of compensation claims from those that probably dont really need it.Sometimes in life you simply have to shrug your shoulders and carry on.

 

[eleanor]

I found your view of the situation interesting and in many ways I have to agree with you. If the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair were to find themselves unable to continue because of this then we would all suffer the consequences - are they insured to pass on the cost I wonder?
Very interesting and i look forward to seeing the views on this.

 

[lovemallorca]

My family and I were also delayed in our return home because of the volcano,and for the life of me I dont understand why anyone would want to seek compensation from Easyjet.Exactly how are they to blame?Surely this is an act of god and maybe local churches might be more appropriate to get compensation from.Easyjet bent over backwards to get us home as soon as they safely could.Yes it did cost us more for our stay and our children missed some schooling,and my business did suffer to a small degree at the time but my customers were all rather jealous we were stuck!In my own little way I would rather Easyjet and all the other airlines who lost a lot of revenue because of the volcano stay that bit more less poor and able to take us on holiday again,and not to go under because of compensation claims from those that probably dont really need it.Sometimes in life you simply have to shrug your shoulders and carry on.

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

The likes of Easyjet have completely changed the travel experiences that are open to the "normal man/woman in the street". The amount that they charge is often similar to what it costs to park the car at the airport for a week, and yet people expect to be treated in exactly the same manner to which you would if you had personally chartered Concorde!

Incidents like the Ash Cloud are completely outside of their control, and I am absolutely sure that they would rather run services than give people their money back...

People sadly often just don't see the big picture - Would they really want to risk us loosing the likes of Easyjet and Ryan Air just so they have the piece of mind that they can claim for hotels etc. If so, the alternative is to pay a whole lot more money for the privalage of travelling.

 

[eleanor]

This is going to be interesting! I'm sure their will be many views on this but I have to agree with much that has been said.
I believe there is a EEC law that governs entitlement I suppose insurance also comes into this too.
I think it would be awful to lose the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair due to this and of course all will shouting the odds should this happen. _ I'm not sure really - there are two sides to this I expect and i'm sure we will hear them!