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

[manda]

easyJet are flying from Stansted to Palma. We got what was supposed to be 22:55 (local time) flight back which eventually took off at 2:55 (local) and got back to Stansted at 4:00 this morning. Reason being is that it is taking 2hrs 50 minutes for flights as they are being diverted over France and Italy to get there!!! At least easyJet are trying rather than Ripofair who cancelled at the sniff of ash. Gave all passengers food vouchers for the 4 hour delay. Same thing happening for late flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Oh well only another 7 weeks to wait to go back through it all again

 

[eleanor]

Great to hear that Easyjet treated you well.

A few hours delay although a pain, isn't so bad to put up with.

Lets hope it will have blown over in time for your next visit.

 

[debz1]

MY nephew has just phoned to say they got coached to Stanstead from Gatwick this afternoon for a 7pm flight and when they got there the flight was cancelled again! So they've given up and gone home

I'm gutted for them as they've been looking forward to their PP hols for months

 

[mearsy]

That's really sad

I've been looking on Easyjet's website at their schedule. There are flights that seem to be leaving ok to all the mentioned destinations, along with the odd one that is cancelled. Maybe they're cancelled for different reasons.

 

[debz1]

I just looked on their website too and it does appear that most flights are going. Will know more details when hubby gets back from the Chelsea match!It seems very odd that Easyjet went to all the trouble ( and cost) of putting them up in hotel last night, then taking them all the way from Gatwick to Stanstead... and still they didn't fly off. You'd have thought that if the flight was fully booked the airline wouldn't have gone to all that bother.

I'm confused now!!!

 

[debz1]

Hubby just in and has confirmed that the flight was called and by the time they got to the gate it was cancelled again... and was definitely due to the ash cloud!

 

[eleanor]

I just wonder if this ash cloud is being used as an excuse by some airlines who perhaps have their own agendas?

Very sad for anyone involved if there is a game going on!

 

[whaleywanderer]

I just wonder if this ash cloud is being used as an excuse by some airlines who perhaps have their own agendas?

Very sad for anyone involved if there is a game going on!

I really don't think this is the case, the airlines are loosing millions £ per day when flights are cancelled.

In my opinion 'better safe than sorry'!

 

[danm]

Last nights Palma to stansted was def cancelled

 

[lollipop]

I think some of the problem is planes not being in the right place at the right time and so that is why some fly and some don't.

 

[mearsy]

Easyjets latest travel news doesn't mention Palma atall and I've been on what I think could be Palma's airport website, with no mention of disruption

If only there were a NATS for outside of the UK

 

[Major Tom]

I have been looking at Gatwick Airport for departures to Palma,
and they are still operating ok, at least today they are, working
on the theory if they arrive they can depart.

 

[Zapper]

Volcanic Ash!

Gatwick cancelled at least one easyjet flight to Palma on Saturday.
Some of the people off one cancelled flight managed to get on the flight last night (Monday), but some were unable to get out at all within a few days.

This uncertainy could have an impact on the tourist trade.

Cheers!

Zapper

 

[eleanor]

Don't we British like to have something to panic about! Only a small percentage of flights have been cancelled in terms of the thousands flying. I don't think it will have an input on tourist industry unless we allow it to do So worrying about something which may or may not happen is not really productive.. Fly with European airlines and should the worse happen they will look after you. Let's calm down and not get grey hairs.

 

[Sparky]

I have to disagree Eleanor, it has already had an impact on the tourist industry.
Every flight that gets cancelled means 180/190Approx tourists don't get here to spend their money, that is bound to have an effect.

 

[pescador2009]

"Today's immediate impact on Tourism"
Leeds-Bradford Airport.
0700 Jet2.com 'outbound' to PALMA - cancelled.
1310 Jet2.com 'inbound' from PALMA - cancelled.

I believe there were also some Ryanair Flights to Palma cancelled yesterday.

Reason - Disruption over Europe caused by Volcanic Ash.

 

[eleanor]

I'm sure there will be comments about my post but here goes!
I agree with Sparky that should a full plane of people decide not to fly then of course that would have a knock on effect. It does seem though, that the majority of travellers do get there in the end!
What I was trying to say was that awareness should be considered for those people who are perhaps a little nervous of travelling at the best of times. I don't think it helps anyone including the tourist industry, for only whats not happening to be mentioned.
I have checked online over the past few day and it does seem that a very high percentage of planes have flown to Mallorca. This should be praised as a positive thing with emphasis being on what is happening rather than what isn't.
I do appreciate though, how upsetting it is for anyone caught up in delays and cancellations but lets encourage anyone thinking of visiting Mallorca by positive comments. The airports are not shut. There are some delays and there are some cancellations but that is not a reason to be put off arranging a holiday in the summer months.

 

[Belladonna]

Well said eleanor! We all tend to make a drama out of a crisis at some point but where is the "Blitz" spirit!? I for one work pretty hard to earn my holidays and forwarned is forarmed. I intend to be ready for wait - even if it is a day or so, we have done it before and will no doubt do it again. But I WILL have my holiday!
Delays there may be, but I shall NOT be moved!! Except on to the plane of course!

 

[eleanor]

Nice positive attitude Bella - thats what we want to see!

People accept that to holiday in UK can mean lots of hours sitting in traffic jams - somehow that IS accepted. Perhaps we have all been too spoilt by the airlines being so good in the past.
We are also aware that if there are cancellations or delays then it is usually because it is the last straw. We have heard often on this site how quickly Easyjet and Ryanair turn around at the airports. -

Once in PP all is worth it! delay or no delay!

 

[Sparky]

This is not about a plane load of people DECIDING NOT to fly, this about their flights being CANCELLED. IT is NOT their choice, as Deb'z nephew and family found.
The point i was making was that if people can't get here, they can't spend their money so you cannot say it will not have an impact on the tourist industry.

PS, i have realised that you have edited your original post Eleanor.