Icelandic Volcano Grounds Flights Across Europe

Posted on Apr 15, 2010

bbc.co.uk

A volcano under the Eyjafjallajoekull (got that?) glacier in Iceland spewed a hefty cloud of ash into the air Thursday, turning airports across Europe into no-fly zones and leaving stranded travelers little hope of taking off until midday Friday or later.  —KA

BBC:

Eurocontrol, which covers 38 nations across Europe, said the ash ejected by the volcano underneath the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier in Iceland would continue to move in a south-easterly direction.

Based on the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, normal air traffic control services could not be provided to flights in airspaces affected by volcanic ash, requiring the temporary suspension of air traffic, it added.

Experts have warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud could be sufficient to jam aircraft engines.

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