AAP From: AAP April 18, 2010 10:50AM
ALL Qantas flights bound for Europe have been cancelled for a third consecutive day, as volcanic ash from an eruption in Iceland continues to play havoc with air travel.
"Any passenger that is through booked to Europe on Sunday - their flights are cancelled," a Qantas spokeswoman told AAP.
"This is looking like it's going to go on for several days.
"We do not recommend that they go in to Asia and try to wait it out there as it's still uncertain as to when the European air space is going to open."
Qantas said passengers should prepare for significant disruption, with the vast cloud of volcanic ash grounding flights across Europe in the biggest air travel shutdown since World War II.
The airline has warned that flights from Australia to Europe could be delayed up to a week.
Qantas said it would make an announcement this afternoon regarding Monday's flights to Europe.
"At this stage we are at the mercy of the European authorities," the spokeswoman said.
"If you are flying to Europe please stay at home, please don't come to the airport."
For those who could delay their travel plans into the future, Qantas said it would rebook flights at no extra cost, or provide a full refund.
Qantas was developing a contingency plan, which could include putting on extra flights to get passengers into Europe once the travel ban is lifted.
"But that's all quite complicated as airlines only have a certain amount of slots going in to airports and it's whether the European authorities are going to open up extra slots to deal with the demand."
About 2000 Qantas customers in Asian ports were being given the option of onward flights to other destinations or flights back to Australia.
The airline estimates at least 9000 Qantas customers have been affected by the volcanic eruption, while about 100 international passengers stranded in Australia are being accommodated in Sydney hotels.
In Britain, flights have been cancelled at London's Heathrow Airport until at least 1pm on Sunday London time (10pm AEST) due to the risk volcanic ash poses to the operating of jet engines.
The Air Transport Association in Geneva estimates the current cost of the eruption to major airlines is around $A214 million a day.
Critique : I am feeling bad for so many travellers stranded due to the volcanic ash from an eruption in Iceland. Minute pieces of particles that had created in the air had caused the flights to be dangerous to operate. No choice, air travel shutdown is a must. In fact, volcanic eruption is the natural disasters that we can neither resist nor control. Hence, I just hope that the situation will get better soon so that air travel will be back on track as many inconveniences have been arisen due to this shutdown. Frankly, it is a real heartaches to see so many disasters happening all around the Earth from time to time, so people please do appreciate what you have now and try to help the needy when you are capable to do so!
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