Major Flight disruption today

Cookie_Monster

BenShermin wrote: »

According to the Stena Line website they've cancelled their 1925 sailing from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead.

Stena never had any luck when unusual circumstances brought their competition to a halt, during the Irish Ferries dispute the HSS broke down:rolleyes:.

I was under the impression that there was only one sailing a day from DL, at lunch time. When did that change?

Edit: never mind, checked the site and they do now have 2 a day

any idea why cancelled, was yesterday as well as today so unrelated to anything going on at the moment it seems

Run_to_da_hills

KevR wrote: »

16:20 Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire canceled also.


Norway has closed it's ocean territory by the way. Not sure if it's because of the ash or not though...

Probably because there is a danger of molten lava boiling up the sea making it treacherous for navigation.

corktina

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

WW2, no?



Act of nature, should be treated exactly the same as a weather related closure because that's what it is. God has nothing to do with it.

Act of God is a legal definition which actually is nothing to do with God either (whoever She is)

Sponge Bob

US flights to Ireland look game on tomorrow

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1271354037.png

timmywex

Interesting to note that the SAR helicopters in the south east and east have been grounded aswell.

Still operating from shannon/sligo but not allowed to enter south east/east area. Naval patrols being positioned to act as cover and rnli notified aswell :cool:

woodseb

Sponge Bob wrote: »

US flights to Ireland look game on tomorrow

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1271354037.png

not necessarily true, the cloud has been in that area for most of today and US flights are still cancelled

most US bound flights actually head up north towards iceland/greenland as its the shortests route and keeps the flights close to airports for emergencies

Sponge Bob

woodseb wrote: »

not necessarily true, the cloud has been in that area for most of today and US flights are still cancelled

NATS is allowing some Scotland - US traffic too

"North Atlantic traffic to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick and Belfast may also be allowed in the period."

BmxNoob

Im flying from Shannon to Tenerife South (gran canaries) this Saturday at 3 o' clock in the evening. Is it likely or unlikely that my flight would be cancelled ? Thanks

Sponge Bob

60/40 against at this stage....but not impossible. Watch this site

http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=93&n=96&a=860

Cookie_Monster

corktina wrote: »

Act of God is a legal definition which actually is nothing to do with God either (whoever She is)

is that not reduntant now after that case in Australia that they made a film of with Billy Connolly?

Vic_08

krustydoyle wrote: »

My Friend is stuck in Belgium

No she's not.

Eurostar Brussels-London
Train London-Holyhead
Ferry Holyhead - Dublin

Sponge Bob

Shannon is now open for transatlantic/canaries like I said

woodseb wrote: »

not necessarily true, the cloud has been in that area for most of today and US flights are still cancelled

And like Sponge Bob said it is now Game on ...for the next while anyway. It will be game off a lot of next week so get the feck out to America while you can.

http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=93&n=96&a=861

The Irish Aviation Authority has announced that it is lifting restrictions, with immediate effect, on flights to and from the State airports at Cork and Shannon and some of the regional airports.

However, as the latest reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London indicate that the ash cloud is still over the east coast, the restrictions will remain in force at Dublin airport until, at least, 11 am on Friday, 16th April. Restrictions also remain in force in large parts of the UK and Northern Europe.

This decision is based on the predicted path of the ash plume which shows a move to the east and south of Ireland. This will allow transatlantic flights and internal flights to take off and land at Shannon.

KevR

Vic_08 wrote: »

No she's not.

Eurostar Brussels-London
Train London-Holyhead
Ferry Holyhead - Dublin

I would strongly recommend that she books all legs of the trip before departing Brussles to avoid getting stranded somewhere along the way.

From talking to people trying to get from Dublin to England, it seems that tomorrow's ferry crossings (Dublin-Holyhead) are booked out as are Bus Eireann Eurolines buses!! Would not be surprised if Eurostar was booked out also..

Sponge Bob

Could do worse than look at the Isle of Man Steam Packet company and an overnight in Douglas.

DWCommuter

Old joke, but still relevant!

It's the 80s all over again!

Nature and economics are pulling us back to a better time.

Sponge Bob

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

No its not, volcanos are not extraordinary by any stretch of the imagination, nor are dust clouds. volcanos and dustclouds are not extraordinary in Iceland (or europe) either.

IMO its not different to closing an airport due to heavy rain or fog.

Are you completely MAD ????

Dust volcanos EAT aircraft at 1000 miles.

dowlingm

No doubt IE are putting on special trains from Waterford to Rosslare :rolleyes: Nope - only "the sister company" can do that kind of thing!

Cookie_Monster

Yesterday was Irish Ferries busiest day in their 30 year history apparently

Cookie_Monster

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Are you completely MAD ????

Dust volcanos EAT aircraft at 1000 miles.

what has that got to do with what I said at any point? I never advocated they fly, just that whatever refunds etc be attributed under the same circumstances as "extreme" weather cancellations

And dust doesn't do that. It will strip paint, scour windows and block up engines but not damage the metalwork of the plane.

Cookie_Monster

dowlingm wrote: »

No doubt IE are putting on special trains from Waterford to Rosslare :rolleyes: Nope - only "the sister company" can do that kind of thing!

Well Irish Ferries have warned that Holyhead trains WILL NOT be able to cope with demand either...

KC61

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

what has that got to do with what I said at any point? I never advocated they fly, just that whatever refunds etc be attributed under the same circumstances as "extreme" weather cancellations

And dust doesn't do that. It will strip paint, scour windows and block up engines but not damage the metalwork of the plane.

With due respect you kept on and on about the use of the word "extraordinary" in one of my posts without understanding either (a) the context in which I was using it, which was that of the legal document, or (b) any knowledge of what people's entitlements are.

There's a time for being facetious, and with respect where legitimate queries are being made and people answer them, I'd have to say that this sort of debate is probably unhelpful at best.

Cookie_Monster

Indo wrote:

THOUSANDS of holidaymakers face being left high and dry by their insurance policies as insurers claim the volcanic ash which closed airports yesterday was an "act of God".

While airlines said yesterday they will honour their legal obligations to passengers, including giving them refunds or new flights, food and accommodation if necessary, the insurance industry was pessimistic about people's chances of claiming on travel policies for their losses.

The Professional Insurance Brokers Association (PIBA) said travel insurance cover would vary for many travellers affected by airports shutting down.

"Unfortunately many will find that their policies do not cover claims arising from adverse weather conditions, a typical exclusion would be 'an act of God'," said PIBA chief executive Diarmuid Kelly. "And claims are generally not covered for the withdrawal from service of aircraft by order or recommendation of the regulatory authority in any country."

People would have to study their terms and conditions carefully to see what they could claim and should firstly seek alternative arrangements from their airline or travel agent, he said.

However the Commission for Aviation Regulation said that people whose flights were cancelled or delayed had significant legal rights under EC Regulation 261/2004.

This included information from airlines, access to phones or faxes, refunds or an alternative flight, food and accommodation while waiting for the new flight, and transport to and from the airport.

These rights and entitlements applied even if the cause of the cancellation was weather related or an unusual circumstance like yesterday's, said Patricia Barton of the commission.

While the "extraordinary circumstances" of this crisis meant passengers were not entitled to additional compensation from airlines for stress or for losses on other aspects of their trip such as hotels or car hire, the airlines did appear to be meeting their legal requirements regarding costs directly incurred as a result of the cancellations, she said.

"We will take up any cases where passengers cannot get these rights but, to be fair, and also based on what we saw during the cold weather in January, the airlines do seem quite well aware of what they are obliged to provide," she said.

There had been a fair number of calls to them seeking information yesterday, but not as many as in previous incidents of disrupted travel, suggesting it was becoming easier for people to find out about and receive their entitlements.

Ryanair said that passengers could apply for a refund or re-book their flights online and airports had also been instructed to reissue boarding cards free of charge for passengers affected by cancellations who might not be able to check in online.

Around 22,000 passengers due to travel to and from Ireland with Ryanair yesterday had been affected by the cancellation of 150 flights, said spokesman Stephen McNamara.

Passengers could simply send in receipts for additional expenses such as hotel stays incurred as a result of the cancellations to receive reimbursement, he said.

Aer Lingus said 25,000 passengers had been affected on 180 of their flights in Ireland, Britain and the US.

"Aer Lingus has offered those passengers affected by (yesterday's) disruption the option of a full refund or a change of reservation to an alternative flight/date free of charge, on aerlingus.com," they said.

"Aer Lingus will also provide care and assistance in accordance with regulation 261/2004, including hotel accommodation where necessary."

Irish Travel Agents Association chief executive Simon Nugent said many of their members were extremely busy trying to reschedule flights and rebook accommodation for passengers stranded abroad, particularly business travellers.

Seems people are entitled to quite a bit apart from refunds then...
Good luck trying to get anything off your travel insurance though kinda defeats the purpose of it.

Sponge Bob

Austrian and Czech Airspace are to close from this afternoon.

Cookie_Monster

somebody in work made the point today that the last time this one went off 200 years ago, it kept going for 6 months. (I dunno how true that is now before I get castigated for it)

Imagine what that would do to life in Europe! No air travel for 6 months, would be interesting to see what happened.

Sponge Bob

Stick to facts Cookie will you and not speculation you most likely don't understand. Please.

People want facts that will let them plan and this thread should be for that. Thanks.

Papa_Lazarou

Restrictions lifted on cork but no flights expected to leave till lunch time. Place is deserted up there.

Cookie_Monster

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Stick to facts Cookie will you and not speculation you most likely don't understand. Please.

what's that supposed to mean?

how the **** would you know what I understand about this or not?

If you don't want to talk about it then don't, no need to post juvenile comments attacking other people who want to continue the discussion onwards

Sponge Bob

The 500hpa charts for the next few days follow ( from wetterzentrale.de)

The medium term forecast model called the GFS has switched from forecasting an airflow TO Ireland from Iceland over to a blocking system over Ireland sending this airflow around Ireland and across Scotland or NE of Scotland and off to some part of Europe. This is good news for some of us.

I suspect they will open the airports and leave them open now. Flights to the west and south will resume as normal but not to the east.

500hpa is about 18,000 feet. Half the atmosphere is above this mark and half is below. Wind directions and speeds are different at ground level please note.

These charts will change every 6 hours and may start to forecast an airflow from Iceland to Ireland ....NB.

On top of each graphic the TOP LEFT is the time of the Forecast and the TOP RIGHT is the time when the forecast is supposed to happen.

Now




Tomorrow ( Saturday)



Sunday morning and




Monday Morning



Tuesday Morning



Thursday

Roland27

Indo wrote: »

THOUSANDS of holidaymakers face being left high and dry by their insurance policies as insurers claim the volcanic ash which closed airports yesterday was an "act of God".

While airlines said yesterday they will honour their legal obligations to passengers, including giving them refunds or new flights, food and accommodation if necessary, the insurance industry was pessimistic about people's chances of claiming on travel policies for their losses.

The Professional Insurance Brokers Association (PIBA) said travel insurance cover would vary for many travellers affected by airports shutting down.

"Unfortunately many will find that their policies do not cover claims arising from adverse weather conditions, a typical exclusion would be 'an act of God'," said PIBA chief executive Diarmuid Kelly. "And claims are generally not covered for the withdrawal from service of aircraft by order or recommendation of the regulatory authority in any country."

People would have to study their terms and conditions carefully to see what they could claim and should firstly seek alternative arrangements from their airline or travel agent, he said.

However the Commission for Aviation Regulation said that people whose flights were cancelled or delayed had significant legal rights under EC Regulation 261/2004.

This included information from airlines, access to phones or faxes, refunds or an alternative flight, food and accommodation while waiting for the new flight, and transport to and from the airport.

These rights and entitlements applied even if the cause of the cancellation was weather related or an unusual circumstance like yesterday's, said Patricia Barton of the commission.

While the "extraordinary circumstances" of this crisis meant passengers were not entitled to additional compensation from airlines for stress or for losses on other aspects of their trip such as hotels or car hire, the airlines did appear to be meeting their legal requirements regarding costs directly incurred as a result of the cancellations, she said.

"We will take up any cases where passengers cannot get these rights but, to be fair, and also based on what we saw during the cold weather in January, the airlines do seem quite well aware of what they are obliged to provide," she said.

There had been a fair number of calls to them seeking information yesterday, but not as many as in previous incidents of disrupted travel, suggesting it was becoming easier for people to find out about and receive their entitlements.

Ryanair said that passengers could apply for a refund or re-book their flights online and airports had also been instructed to reissue boarding cards free of charge for passengers affected by cancellations who might not be able to check in online.

Around 22,000 passengers due to travel to and from Ireland with Ryanair yesterday had been affected by the cancellation of 150 flights, said spokesman Stephen McNamara.

Passengers could simply send in receipts for additional expenses such as hotel stays incurred as a result of the cancellations to receive reimbursement, he said.

Aer Lingus said 25,000 passengers had been affected on 180 of their flights in Ireland, Britain and the US.

"Aer Lingus has offered those passengers affected by (yesterday's) disruption the option of a full refund or a change of reservation to an alternative flight/date free of charge, on aerlingus.com," they said.

"Aer Lingus will also provide care and assistance in accordance with regulation 261/2004, including hotel accommodation where necessary."

Irish Travel Agents Association chief executive Simon Nugent said many of their members were extremely busy trying to reschedule flights and rebook accommodation for passengers stranded abroad, particularly business travellers.

Thanks for that article. I have a question regarding the airlines providing accommodation to those who are stranded and awaiting a new flight. Would they cover the cost of accommodation even if there was no travel insurance booked with the original flight?

Colin_M

If your worried about your rights if you flight is cancelled, read this, it was in the NCA's newsletter yesterday - http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/Hot_Topics/Tip_Of_The_Week/Tips_Archive/ash-cloud-passenger-rights.html

seamus

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Imagine what that would do to life in Europe! No air travel for 6 months, would be interesting to see what happened.

I imagine they would come up with solutions, such changing the flight paths so they're more direct and allowing aircraft to cruise at lower altitudes (flying under any ash cloud).
This would mean of course that there would be no stacking, so traffic volumes would be severely restricted. It would mean that most transatlantic flights would probably terminate in Shannon or Dublin rather than get into the European airspace. It'd be great for us.

Hank Scorpio

My mate is meant to be flying to France at 6.am tomorrow morning, you guys reckon it will go ahead?

dowlingm

Seriously, IE need to get with the fracking programme and start offering more service out of Rosslare at least for the next few days - Irish Ferries and Stena are talking about record bookings. Unlike GAA specials most of the people will have gawked up already on the boat so no issue with cleanup. I think the runaround track is lifted since the station moved though so no chance of using the Railway Children Express set.

Madame Razz

Could anybodt tell me if its possible to book onto the ferry as a car+passenger but then not actually drive onto the ferry?? As in just go as a foot passenger having paid the cost of a car.

Cookie_Monster

Madame Razz wrote: »

Could anybodt tell me if its possible to book onto the ferry as a car+passenger but then not actually drive onto the ferry?? As in just go as a foot passenger having paid the cost of a car.

no, as per the "thanks lads" thread here it would appear not to be

nacho66

Hi Guys

I have a question/problem, or more a riddle, to solve. I hope one of you have enough experience with this to be able to advice something

I have an apartment booked in Barcelona starting from Wednesday. There are two groups of travelers planned to stay there... one group flies from Ireland, second group flies from Poland. The hotel/apartment policy is to cancel 3 days prior, otherwise they charge full amount which would be almost 800 euro! I don't want to explain the problem any further as it should be clearly seen. I obviously won't know on Sunday if Wed flights are canceled, so I'm surely going into that full hotel charge position. If both flights are canceled, I expect both insurance policies would cover flight and accommodation costs (unless I get the idea wrong). What are my options (if any) when only one flight is canceled, which means there is no sense for the other group to fly in at all... I understand this may sound silly as why should one flight company care about the other, but I'm trying to figure out what options I have... I'm all very disturbed right now as I'm facing a serious loss of money. Can you advice anything?

Madame Razz

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

no, as per the "thanks lads" thread here it would appear not to be

Cheers; didn't see that. Bit of a mild panic here at the moment trying to get somebody home for an important function tomorrow

Cookie_Monster

Dublin is already due re-open today, unless more eruptions the rest of Europe should be clear by next Wednesday.

Failing that its a 23 hour drive from Warsaw* to Barcalona according to Google maps, an alternative maybe?

*didn't say where in Poland so guessed here

munchkin_utd

nacho66 wrote: »

Hi Guys

I have a question/problem, or more a riddle, to solve. I hope one of you have enough experience with this to be able to advice something

I have an apartment booked in Barcelona starting from Wednesday.<snip>
Can you advice anything?

Check your insurance policy. If you cant travel due to the volcano they might not pay any compensation as this is "an act of god".

The airline will refund your flight if they do not fly, but nothing in the way of compensation.

If I were in your shoes, I'd cancel that 800 euros of accomodation (if insurance does not cover it), and should flights be ok by wednesday, pick up a cheap hotel or hostel at the last minute.

nacho66

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Dublin is already due re-open today, unless more eruptions the rest of Europe should be clear by next Wednesday.

Failing that its a 23 hour drive from Warsaw* to Barcalona according to Google maps, an alternative maybe?

*didn't say where in Poland so guessed here

It's from Poznan actually, but I don't anyone would consider driving

I would use legal/insurance/cancelation policies advice rather than alternative travel method advice. Although I understand there might by no advice of that kind...

seamus

According to EU rules, you're entitled to a refund of a non-cancelled flight, even if you've already taken it, if the point of that flight has been rendered useless.

However, this is really for cases where you have a stopover and the second leg of the trip has been cancelled - you're entitled to have your first leg refunded.

I don't know if it would apply in your case, i.e. the point of your mates' flight is useless because your flight has been cancelled. I'm assuming it's a stag.

nacho66

seamus wrote: »

According to EU rules, you're entitled to a refund of a non-cancelled flight, even if you've already taken it, if the point of that flight has been rendered useless.

However, this is really for cases where you have a stopover and the second leg of the trip has been cancelled - you're entitled to have your first leg refunded.

I don't know if it would apply in your case, i.e. the point of your mates' flight is useless because your flight has been cancelled. I'm assuming it's a stag.

It's Ryanair so I assume they would not easily go for any stories like that. Why would they care that some Aer Lingus flight from Dublin was canceled.

f***.. I don't know what to do... i was looking into other apartments in Barcelona that I could book on Tue evening when I know the flight is good but they are very short on vacancies already and I may end up with nothing or places for 1200 euro... god damn volcano :[

KevR

Vic_08 wrote: »

No she's not.

Eurostar Brussels-London
Train London-Holyhead
Ferry Holyhead - Dublin

KevR wrote: »

I would strongly recommend that she books all legs of the trip before departing Brussles to avoid getting stranded somewhere along the way.

From talking to people trying to get from Dublin to England, it seems that tomorrow's ferry crossings (Dublin-Holyhead) are booked out as are Bus Eireann Eurolines buses!! Would not be surprised if Eurostar was booked out also..

From Sky News:
Channel Tunnel high-speed train company Eurostar reported a sell-out of its 58 London St Pancras to and from Paris and Brussels services.
While Cross-Channel ferry services have been inundated with passengers displaced by the airline chaos.
The Port of Dover said ferry operators made arrangements during the night to take additional foot passengers on sailings.

nacho66

munchkin_utd wrote: »

The airline will refund your flight if they do not fly, but nothing in the way of compensation.

Are you saying there's no refund for hotel charges? Even with travel insurance purchased with flight tickets?

seamus

nacho66 wrote: »

Are you saying there's no refund for hotel charges? Even with travel insurance purchased with flight tickets?

Travel insurance is separate, but you will need to check the terms of the policy.

If a flight is cancelled due to weather conditions, the airline is obliged to refund you, but that's it. They don't have to pay for other travel or accomodation.

nacho66

seamus wrote: »

Travel insurance is separate, but you will need to check the terms of the policy.

If a flight is cancelled due to weather conditions, the airline is obliged to refund you, but that's it. They don't have to pay for other travel or accomodation.

Seems the travel insurance refunds a fixed value apparently of 500 euro if flight is canceled. That would cover my hotel... but... there's always f*** but... if the decision about canceling the flight comes from the top, i.e. it's top flight authorities decision to shut down airports, insurance policy does not apply!! How moronic is that??

I don't understand what's the god damn difference between a volcano cloud and a bad weather. Are they not refunding for flight canceled due to bad weather too?

BmxNoob

I can kiss my holiday goodbye now ...

17:11 Ryanair has confirmed that based on current meteorological forecasts, and the continuing emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere over Iceland, it has decided to cancel all scheduled flights to/from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Northern France, Northern Germany, Poland and the Baltic States until 1300hrs on Monday 19 April.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0416/transportupdates.html

Cookie_Monster

BmxNoob wrote: »

17:11 Ryanair has confirmed that based on current meteorological forecasts, and the continuing emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere over Iceland, it has decided to cancel all scheduled flights to/from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Northern France, Northern Germany, Poland and the Baltic States until 1300hrs on Monday 19 April.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0416/transportupdates.html

ouch, expensive week for the airlines

Oliver1985

Anyone know are many heading for the dart off the ferry in D/l I hear there is crazy numbers arriving out there?

smackyB

I'm stuck in Paris trying to get home, apparently CDG will reopen at 12 tmmrw - I wonder what are the chances of me getting on a flight