Volcanic Eruption In Iceland, Uk Flights Cancelled, Some Airports Closed

[Husty]

David Cameron has stated today that it's all "very worrying", and that his first thoughts are with the emergency services workers.

Er...slightly overdramatising things here Dave? Are the ambulances and hospitals suddenly overwhelmed by legions of wheezing pensioners coughing up ash-coloured mucus? Are the firefighters struggling to free people from beneath mountains of ash? Are the police battling a tide of looters as the country descends into a state of volcanic anarchy?

I know there's an election on, but come on

Volcano in middle of nowhere erupts, a few scientists go to have a look and take photos, to say that he is being overdramatic is something of an understatement

 

[ROSM]

Well having now booked into a hotel in Kowloon (cheaper beer and a fantastic cultural experience I'm sure!!) I am on waiting lists and am booked onto a flight with Qantas that may or may not at some point take off towards the UK. It will be full of people from melbourne who will have drunk the bar dry probably

Could be in for a bit of a wait here. Worst part I suppose is that I may have to go to work again in the local office until this blows over (literally) may take a punt and book a flight for sunday as that seems to be the earliest available.

but i'm touched to learn that david cameron cares

 

[Questions]

Christ..........imagine if a 20 mile long asteroid hit the earth and all that dust blew up, it would be days before the airlines got there act together.

 

[Raphael Meade]

next update at 2.30am (GMT) on if UK airspace will open tomorrow afternoon, but winds moving too slowly to make that especially likely...

 

[ExmouthExile]

I'm just gonna stay indoors, put me feet up, and enjoy me CRATER beer

 

[The Spanish]

Why is he using a metal detector in the middle of an eruption?

He is trying to piss the fucker out. Hardcore.

 

[Raphael Meade]

airspace now closed until at least 0100 saturday....

 

[saafend_seagull]

is this going to cause chaos on my euro tunnel crossing?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

is this going to cause chaos on my euro tunnel crossing?

Not unless you don't have a reservation?

 

[Springal]

My Tech Director has some important meetings this weekend / early next week in Brussels, just paid £235 for a 1 way trip on Eurostar today, to sit on the floor !!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Christ..........imagine if a 20 mile long asteroid hit the earth and all that dust blew up, it would be days before the airlines got there act together.

I'd imagine that if a twenty mile wide asteroid hit, there would be no one around to wory about it.

 

[Yoda]

airspace now closed until at least 0100 saturday....

Hmm! Only 10 hours before my flight is scheduled to come back from Faro.

 

[saafend_seagull]

Not unless you don't have a reservation?

Well i do, but will be everyone trying to take it somehow I guess, traffic, etc

 

[Raphael Meade]

Hmm! Only 10 hours before my flight is scheduled to come back from Faro.

next update will be 2.30pm, though irish airspace is due to reopen shortly so that might be good sign...

i've held a new flight for sunday so hoping things will clear up by then!!

 

[ROSM]

my flight with qantas is now showing as delayed until sunday (48 hours later than planned). I'm pleased that they (so far) have delayed rather than cancelled. probably due to the 300 aussies who have travelled from melbourne to hong kong already. They must be nervous they don't lose then. Mind you, who'd notice another 300 of them round here?

 

[Arthur]

My Tech Director has some important meetings this weekend / early next week in Brussels, just paid £235 for a 1 way trip on Eurostar today, to sit on the floor !!

He was lucky then.

My CEO is in our Amsterdam office and was unable to fly back yesterday or today so looked at getting the train to Paris. Sorted that out only to find Eurostar fully booked all day.

That combined with his Dutch PA being on annual leave today so he's got to do it all himself he is not a happy bunny!

 

[User removed 4]

How do you get money out of an Icelandic bank?

At an ashpoint!

 

[sten_super]

For anyone who hasn't seen it, this was published on the economist website yesterday;
Geology: Conflict erupts | The Economist

Conflict erupts

THE dispute between Iceland and Britain concerning British creditors of failed Icelandic banks escalated significantly today, as Iceland fired a plume of smoke and ash at the British Isles, forcing traffic from Heathrow Airport to shut down for the day. The aggressive approach involves the use of a "volcano", which apparently harnesses Iceland's rich store of geologic energy. Britons are reportedly complaining slightly more than normal.

 

[Bozza]

First few planes coming into Scottish airports now...

RadarVirtuel.com

FlightAware > TCX7L

FlightAware > Thomsonfly #93

 

[Notters]

Volcano in middle of nowhere erupts, a few scientists go to have a look and take photos, to say that he is being overdramatic is something of an understatement

Er...

a) This could potentially mean no flights in Europe for years.
b) One of my best friends is stuck in Istanbul
c) Emergency helicopters, etc. are grounded.