Volcanic ash brings misery to travellers

Published 22 Apr 2010 09:55 0 Comments

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DESERTED: Glasgow Airport

By Jennifer Black

GLASGOW Airport is entering almost a week of chaos as volcanic ash continues to disrupt flights and passengers.

It was thought that the cloud of dangerous particles could be moving away from the UK, with the airport reopening yesterday morning.

However the flight-ban was lifted only for a few hours as Scotland's busiest airport was closed again by 1pm.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: "Following advice from NATS, the airspace around Glasgow Airport will close from 1300hrs today until further notice, as a result of the spreading cloud of volcanic ash.

"Passengers are again reminded to check the status of their flight with their airline before leaving for the airport.

"We are grateful to passengers for their patience."

Only a limited number of domestic and international flights took off during this short time.

This unprecedented shut-down of British airspace has left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide.

Renfrewshire Council confirmed that 134 teaching staff are still abroad, despite schools returning yesterday.

Head teachers informed the council of their staff shortages on Monday which allowed time for supply teachers to be drafted in and all schools reopened as normal.

Woodlands Primary School teacher and Gazette Down Your Way correspondent, Dawn Michael, is stuck in Tenerife after going on an Easter break with partner Mick Townsend.

The couple were supposed to return on Friday and still have no idea when they will be back.

Dawn said: "We haven't a clue when we will be back.

"We have to call Thomas Cook twice a day but up until now they just say phone back.

"We are lucky there are so many others stuck with children, some of them missing exams."

Newlyweds Ronnie and Ray Campbell, from Johnstone, flew out to Paris last Monday and were suppose to return on Friday.

But after flights were cancelled they stayed an extra two nights in the French capital before catching the Eurostar to London and a Virgin train back to Glasgow.

They finally got home late on Sunday night.

Ray, a teacher at Forbank Primary School, said: "We consider ourselves very fortunate as we could stay in the same hotel and could afford to get tickets to get home. Plus we had two extra days honeymoon in the most romantic city in the world."

Linwood couple, George and Margaret Shepherd were due to fly out to their time-share in Majorca on Friday but cancelled their holiday due to the chaos.

George said: "As a flight only, although disappointed, we were pleased that Ryanair offered promptly to refund flight cost or transfer flights. In the circumstances we couldn't ask for better service."

Their granddaughter Emma, 20, is stranded in Santa Ponsa and doesn't know when she will get back.

With the airport reportedly losing a significant amount of money a day there is concern for the business.

A Glasgow Airport spokesperson said: "The airspace closure will have an obvious commercial affect on Glasgow Airport and every other UK airport, however it cannot be fully assessed while the situation is ongoing."

Glasgow Airport remained closed as The Gazette went to press.

This article appeared in The Gazette 21 Apr 10

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