Air traffic increases across Europe but disruptions to continue

THE number of flights over Europe increased thanks to the changed rules, but disruptions will continue because volcanic ash clouds still hang over much of the continent.

Some 14,000 flights took place, increased from 8,700 on Monday, which was still only half the normal level of air traffic on a Tuesday.

Airlines are pressing the EU to suspend rules that require they pay hotel and meal costs for stranded passengers. So far none of the companies have applied for state aid to offset losses running at an estimated €1 billion.

The European Commission, which was called in by member states to coordinate a response to the crisis, described the situation as “unprecedented”.

Transport spokeswoman Helen Kearns said there were more flights out of Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam and some in Italian airspace. “The cloud has remained relatively static and so the efforts to free up traffic have played a significant role in increasing the number of flights.”

But, she added, the commission is not an air traffic controller and decisions are up to national authorities as to whether they shut or open their airspace and this work is coordinated by Eurocontrol.

Some of German airspace was open for a time when the authorities judged the cloud had sufficiently dispersed, but was later closed as the concentration appeared to increase.

The new rules introduced yesterday morning allowed aircraft to fly above 36,000 feet, where the ash does not reach, or below 20,000 feet if the ash is not falling. It also limits the no-fly zone to where the ash is concentrated with a 120-mile buffer zone.

In other areas the decision whether to allow flights is up to national governments. Their decisions are implemented by Eurocontrol, an independent Brussels-based agency owned by 38 European member countries.

Ms Kearns said that under EU rules passengers are entitled to be refunded the entire cost they paid for their ticket, including taxes and any charges. They are also entitled to choose a refund or alternative transport, which may be by train or bus.

The only thing passengers are not entitled to in the circumstances is compensation for the inconvenience caused.