Ash cloud continues to hamper European airspace

The ash cloud strikes yet again. Flights resumed Monday afternoon at airports like London’s Heathrow and Gatwick and Amsterdam’s Schiphol after being shut down due to Iceland’s volcanic ash blowing in their direction.

All three airports have warned passengers to expect delays throughout the day as they try to play catch up and clear the backlog. Up to 1,000 flights were affected by the ash cloud, which has caused the industry billions and has been a massive pain in the neck for nearly a month now.

Dublin International Airport reopened at noon Monday after being closed most of Sunday. Many international flights were rerouted to Shannon, which is about a three hour drive from the Emerald Isle’s main airport. Passengers were then escorted via ground transportation to Dublin, where they would await the no-fly zone to be lifted.

Not everyone believes that the airlines should have to be this cautious. Take British Airways’ chief executive Willie Walsh, when asked about Eurocontrol’s closing of European airports for the ash cloud, he said, “I am very concerned that we have decisions on opening and closing of airports based on a theoretical model.” Walsh later added, “There was no evidence of ash in the skies over London today yet Heathrow was closed.”

So what do you think? Is Eurocontrol being overly cautious by shutting down airports when some of the ash cloud is near? Or are airlines being careless with their passengers due to the fear of losing more money? Leave a comment below and share with us your thoughts on this topic.

Source: Associated Press