travel disruption 2010

• Effects on Aircraft
• Signs of an Encounter
• Actions for Flight Crew
• Global Mitigation
• Eyjafjallajökull Impact
• Resources & References

The 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano had a huge impact on air travel, changing the assessment of risk by the aviation sector and catalyzing new lines of scientific investigation. Ash advisories derived from dispersion-model output were issued by the London VAAC, depicting the presence of ash over large parts of Europe and the North Atlantic. Based on those advisories, over 300 airports in about two dozen countries, and a correspondingly large airspace, were closed in Europe during 15-21 April 2010. This resulted in massive impacts on air travel worldwide. Over 100,000 flights were cancelled over that week, affecting 7 million passengers, and resulting in $1.7 billion USD in lost revenue to airlines according to an analysis by Oxford Economics.

To reopen airspace, European aviation authorities endorsed the creation of a new type of concentration chart advisory product that delineated hazard zones based on dispersion model output of ash concentrations. So called 'low' ash concentrations were deemed to be defined as 3 . The concentration charts were adopted by air traffic management and airlines with the expectation that zones of low density ash could be transited with no or minimal risk of immediate aircraft damage providing a regime of enhanced risk assessment by airlines, including more frequent aircraft inspections, was adopted. Currently, concentration charts have only been adopted for operational use in Europe and the North Atlantic region, as outlined in Volcanic Ash Contingency Plan EUR and NAT Regions . The scientific validity and operational utility of the ash concentration charts have been questioned by international experts and therefore have not been implemented outside Europe.

Also in response to Eyjafjallajökull's impact on air travel, ICAO formed the International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) in May 2010, charging it to examine how best to define hazardous airspace and manage aviation risk. The IVATF included representatives from government and industry groups involved in aviation regulation, operations, and scientific investigations. The IVATF finished its work in June 2012, and a record of its results is available.

On the scientific front, there has been a notable increase in volcanic-cloud research since Eyjafjallajökull and the Cordon Caulle long-lived ash plume of 2011. A burst of scientific articles has been published, including in special journal issues (Hasager et al, 2010; Langmann et al., 2012). Overall, these eruptions have prompted the aviation industry, regulators, and scientists to work more closely together to improve the manner in which hazardous airspace is defined, forecast, and communicated.

Simple Flying

The eyjafjallajökull eruption: how it impacted aviation in 2010.

Yesterday we published an article about how Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano disrupted air traffic for a brief period on the Nordic island. Today we thought it would be interesting to look back to 2010 and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption and how it impacted Europe's aviation.

Firstly, before we get into the Eyjafjallajökull eruption, it is important to explain the difference between the Fagradalsfjall eruption this weekend and what happened in 2010. Volcanologists will tell you that there are two types of eruptions, explosive eruptions, and effusive eruptions.

Fagradalsfjall is an effusive eruption where a fissure is created in the earth to allow molten lava to flow out and later cool. These types of eruptions, which are also called Hawaiian eruptions, are typically not very dangerous and have no impact on air traffic.

Eyjafjallajökull was an explosive gas-driven eruption that propelled magma and tephra (fragmental material) into the sky. These types of eruptions tend to be large, violent, and highly dangerous.

The Eyjafjallajökul eruption

Eleven years ago, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) started noticing an increase in seismic activity in the far south of the island. The first eruptions were minor but became more problematic when the ice caps surrounding the volcano started to melt, creating a three-kilometer-wide crater. As the melting ice came into contact with the magma, its rapid cooling shot large plumes of ash particles into the sky.

Reaching heights of up to nine kilometers, the volcanic ash met up with the jet stream carrying the ash towards the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Scotland. Iceland responded by declaring a state of emergency, while Europe responded by closing its air space to all traffic. Consequently, flights to and from Europe and flights within the continent we canceled, causing the largest disruption of air travel since World War Two. Millions of passengers were caught out, and the sudden closure of airspace stranded some. Simultaneously, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that the airline industry would lose $200 million for every day European air space was closed.

Stay informed:  Sign up for our  daily  and  weekly  aviation news digests!

Why is volcanic ash dangerous to aircraft?

Volcanic ash contains tiny glass particles and pulverized rock that abrasive enough to erode engine compressor blades. It can also enter the combustion chamber where it melts, forming something similar to molten glass that solidifies, blocking airflow subsequently causing the engine to fail.

As the ash makes contact with the aircraft, it can wear away the plane's skin and block the pilot's view out of the windshield. More importantly, it can mess with the aircraft's airspeed sensors making the plane difficult to fly.

British Airways Flight 9

While there have been dozens of encounters between aircraft and volcanic ash over the years, the most famous and probably why agencies rush to shut down air space occurred in June 1982.

A British Airways Boeing 747-200 flying between London Heathrow to Auckland, New Zealand with stops in Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, Perth, and Melbourne encountered volcanic ash while flying southeast of Jakarta, Indonesia. Volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Galunggung got in the 747 engines causing all four to stall . While the reason for the failure was not apparent, the crew immediately decided to divert to Jakarta, hoping that it could get some of the engines to restart.

Once out of the ash cloud, they restarted all the engines, although one later again stalled. Fortunately, the aircraft managed to land safely at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) in Jakarta.

Were you impacted by Eyjafjallajökul's eruption? If so, we would love to read about what happened in the comments.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Iceland's Volcanic Eruption And Its Aftermath

• Subscribe to NPR's Up First Email

A satellite captured the erupting of the Okmok Caldera volcano on Umnak Island in Alaska in July 2008. The volcano spewed both steam and ash. NASA/AP hide caption

Who Determines When Airways Are Safe From Ash?

April 23, 2010 • When three volcanoes in Alaska erupted in 2008 — one of them creating an ash cloud that spanned North America — flight disruptions were quite minor. That is a stark contrast to recent events in Europe, owing to both geography and air regulations.

This infrared image shows ash spewing out of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano. It was taken April 17 by a NASA spacecraft. Hotter areas, shown in red, can be seen at the ash plume's base. NASA/JPL/EO-1 Mission/GSFC/Ashley Davies hide caption

Tracking Volcano Ash To Improve Flight Safety

April 22, 2010 • The eruption in Iceland has triggered an intense effort to improve our ability to detect volcanic ash clouds and forecast their movement in the atmosphere. Eruptions are surprisingly common. And more precise information about them could help reduce uncertainty about the threats they pose to air travel.

Rail Service Benefits From Flight Cancellations

April 22, 2010 • Many people were stranded by the disruption of air travel caused by the Icelandic volcano. Europeans at least had another option: The extensive modern rail network in most western European countries. In France, there was only limited impact from the lack of domestic flights because the high speed train service drove air links between most major cities out of business long ago.

Flower Industry Wilts From Volcanic Ash Disruptions

April 22, 2010 • The flower harvest in Holland was just getting underway when the ash cloud brought air cargo services to a halt. Flower exporters in the Netherlands are seeking compensation for the losses they've incurred because they haven't been able to ship flowers by air freight for days.

British Government Criticized For Travel Chaos

April 22, 2010 • Many airlines and business leaders are accusing government officials of being overly cautious in closing European airspace for six days. But despite the financial losses and the travel chaos, there were some folks who rejoiced at the temporary halt in air traffic.

Korean Air cargo planes sit idle on the tarmac at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Every day, on average, 10,000 tons of goods are airfreighted between Asia and Europe. But none of that has moved for the past week after Iceland's volcanic eruption. Lee Jin-man/AP hide caption

Volcanic Ash In Europe Halts Airfreight In Asia

April 21, 2010 • As flights over Europe resume, stricken businesses are starting to tally the cost of Iceland's volcanic eruption. Airspace closures have snarled global supply chains, with knock-on effects all the way down the line, including in Asia. It's bad news for consumers and manufacturers alike.

A Letter From My European 'Volcation'

April 21, 2010 • Commentator Jonathan Kirby had timed his toiletries to run out just in time for the end of his European vacation. A week later, he's had to restock, couch-hop and wade through his mounting credit card debt. Though the Icelandic volcanic ash has turned him into a perpetual traveler, he says the transformation has been more adventure than toil.

U.S. Airlines See Major Disruption, Some Losses

April 21, 2010 • Although the disruption has created uncertainty for customers, U.S. airlines won't face as many costs as you might think. The biggest losses will be among European carriers. Still, it's going to take some time for all of the airlines to get back on track.

Europe's Skies Start To Fill With Planes, Not Ash

April 21, 2010 • Airlines have lost at least $1.7 billion owing to travel disruptions caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, an industry group said Wednesday, as hundreds of planes finally landed or took off from airports around Europe. Germany's air traffic controllers gradually reopened that country's airspace. Severe delays were still expected across Europe.

It's Not Just Passengers Trying To Catch A Flight

April 21, 2010 • Export goods from flowers to ostrich meat are stuck in Africa, unable to be shipped to Europe as travel remains backlogged by an ash cloud from Iceland's erupting volcano.

Germany Criticized Over Massive Flight Restrictions

April 21, 2010 • There is a growing conflict in Germany involving the country's two major airlines and the transportation minister over flight restrictions due to the volcanic ash cloud. The airlines claim the government is being overly cautious and relying on computer models rather than facts. But the minister insists his job is to defend public safety, not commercial profit.

Ash-Stranded Travelers Hopeful As Flights Resume

April 20, 2010 • A flight from Vancouver became the first to land at Europe's busiest airport, London's Heathrow, since flight paths were closed after Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted last Wednesday. The Eurocontrol air traffic agency said it expects some 55 to 60 percent of flights over Europe to go ahead Tuesday.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles And Volcanic Ash

April 20, 2010 • For many travelers stranded in Europe by the volcanic ash cloud, train travel is their way home. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli was supposed to hop a plane for Rome from Amsterdam. Four days later, she's made it as far as France.

European Flights Resume But Backlog Remains

April 20, 2010 • Roughly half the scheduled flights in Europe are expected to take off Tuesday. But some airports are still closed, and European officials are keeping a wary eye on the Icelandic volcano that's been pushing ash their way for nearly a week now.

Flight Delays Stall Fresh Veggies To Britain

April 20, 2010 • The suspension of air transport in northern Europe is starting to have a severe impact on a number of small to medium size businesses. Companies that supply goods or services to the airlines and airports are the first affected, but so are those who rely on imported foodstuffs and products. Half of the vegetables and 95 percent of the fruit consumed in Britain come from abroad.

Iceland Volcano Emits More Lava, Less Ash

April 20, 2010 • The volcano in Iceland, which caused havoc within the airline industry, is continuing to quiet down. While it is still erupting, the nature of the emissions has changed. More lava is being produced now and less ash is being emitted.

Scientists: Volcano Could Erupt Again

April 19, 2010 • The volcanic eruption that has grounded planes and closed airports throughout Europe appears to be slowing down. But before travelers start rejoicing, Icelandic scientists have a warning: The eruption could start up again any time.

Britain Sends Warships To Aid Stranded Travelers

April 19, 2010 • Britain's Royal Navy has sent warships to continental Europe to rescue Britons stranded by the volcanic ash cloud. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and two other Royal Navy ships would cross the English Channel as far as Spain. European transport officials agreed on Monday to gradually resume air traffic in designated "caution zones," where the threat of ash is considered less dangerous.

An empty runway at Edinburgh airport, where flights were canceled because of volcanic ash from Iceland. The situation is bad, but experts say it could be much worse. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images hide caption

A Deadlier Volcanic Blast To Come?

April 19, 2010 • As the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano wreaks havoc on air transportation in Europe, it's worth remembering that the North Atlantic island has produced far deadlier blasts in the past, and that it's likely to do so again.

Stranded airline passengers queue for information at El Prat international airport in Barcelona, Spain. All flights in and out of Barcelona's El Prat and 16 other Spanish airports have been grounded by the volcanic ash drifting across Europe. Jasper Juinen/Getty Images hide caption

European Flights Resume, But Ash Still A Threat

April 19, 2010 • A deal struck by European Union transportation ministers launched a few flights Monday and may permit more on Tuesday. But fresh ash from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland continues to complicate air travel conditions.

Airlines Question Flight Ban Due To Volcanic Ash

April 19, 2010 • Major airlines have flown test flights and some pilots and airline officials say it's safe to fly despite the erupting volcano in Iceland. Eurocontrol, the air traffic agency in Brussels, said less than one-third of flights in Europe were taking off Monday. Britain is sending Royal Navy warships to rescue stranded passengers across the channel.

The MODIS instrument on NASA's Terra satellite captured an ash plume from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Friday. Though satellite images can tell scientists where the ash is, they don't help forecasters determine how much ash is in the air — or at what point it becomes a hazard to airplanes. MODIS Rapid Response Team/NASA via Getty Images hide caption

Hazy Ash Cloud Forecast Complicates Air Travel

April 19, 2010 • Forecasters can see the volcanic ash cloud on satellite images, and they can forecast which way it's going. But they can't tell exactly how much ash is in the air — or at what point it poses a hazard to airplanes. That's complicating efforts to decide how much of Europe's airspace can be reopened to travel.

Researchers Evgenia Ilyinskaya and Asgerdur Sigurdardottir sweep up volcanic ash from a small bridge just south of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The ash will be taken back to the University of Iceland for analysis. Joe Palca/NPR hide caption

Inside The Plume, A Volcano Tells Its Secrets

April 19, 2010 • If you really want to know what's up with a volcano, you need to sample the material it's spewing out. To do that, two volcanologists set out for the giant clouds coming from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

• 0 Shopping Cart

Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull

Cambridge iGCSE Geography > The Natural Environment > Earthquakes and Volcanoes > Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull

Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull

Background information.

Location: Eyjafjallajökull is located in southern Iceland.

Level of Development in Iceland: Iceland is a developed country with a strong economy. It has advanced infrastructure, healthcare, education, and a high standard of living.

Volcano Details: Eyjafjallajökull is a composite (stratovolcano) covered by an ice cap.  The name describes the volcano , with Eyja meaning island, fjalla meaning mountain, and jokull meaning glacier. You can find out how to pronounce Eyjafjallajokull on the BBC website .

Its eruption can cause significant ash plumes and glacial meltwater floods known as “jökulhlaups.”

What caused the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate boundary that divides the North American Plate from the Eurasian Plate. These two tectonic plates gradually drift apart because of the ridge push exerted along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. As they move away from each other, magma from beneath the Earth’s crust fills the magma chambers located below Eyjafjallajökull. The interconnection of several of these chambers has created a substantial reservoir of magma beneath the volcano. Eyjafjallajökull is positioned underneath a glacier, adding to its complex structure.

What were the primary effects of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Ash Cloud: The eruption created a massive ash cloud that turned day to night. The ash drifted over Europe.
• Air Travel Disruption: Over 100,000 flights were cancelled, affecting around 10 million travellers.
• Local Flooding: Melting glaciers caused flooding in the nearby areas.
• Damage to Agriculture : Ash fall led to the loss of grazing areas and contaminated water supplies.
• Property and roads: Homes and roads were damaged.

What were the secondary effects of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Economic Impact : The airline industry alone lost £130 million a day due to airspace closure, totalling an estimated $1.7 billion. The price of shares in major airlines dropped between 2.5-3.3% during the eruption. Other sectors, such as tourism and farming, were also significantly affected.
• Environmental Impact : Long-term effects on soil and water quality were observed. Local water supplies were contaminated with fluoride.
• Health Concerns: Respiratory issues were reported due to fine ash particles in the air.
• Impacts on Kenya: The impact was felt as far afield as Kenya, where farmers laid off 5000 workers after flowers and vegetables rotted at airports. Kenya’s flower council says the country lost $1.3m daily in lost shipments to Europe.

What were the immediate responses to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Evacuation : Around 800 people were evacuated from the immediate vicinity.
• Airspace Closure: European airspace was closed for several days.
• Emergency Services: Immediate response from local authorities, firefighters, and rescue teams.

What were the long-term responses to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Monitoring and Research: Improved monitoring systems and research into ash cloud movement.
• Economic Support: Financial assistance for affected farmers and businesses.
• Regulations: Improved regulations for air travel during volcanic ash events.
• Airspace: The European Union developed an integrated structure for air traffic management. As a result, nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) will replace the existing 27 areas. This means following a volcanic eruption in the future, areas of air space may be closed, reducing the risk of closing all European air space.

What opportunities did the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull bring?

Despite the challenges brought about by the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, several benefits emerged from the event. One of the positive impacts was the environmental saving; the grounding of European flights during the eruption prevented the release of approximately 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, as the Environmental Transport Association noted.

Additionally, the disruption in air travel led to a boon for other modes of transportation. Eurostar, for instance, experienced a significant increase in passenger numbers. The company recorded nearly a third rise in travel, accommodating 50,000 extra passengers on trains during this period.

Furthermore, the volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajökull deposited dissolved iron into the North Atlantic Ocean. This led to a plankton bloom, enhancing biological productivity in the region.

In response to the eruption’s negative publicity, the Icelandic government initiated a campaign to bolster tourism. The “Inspired by Iceland” initiative was launched with the specific goal of showcasing the nation’s scenic beauty, the warmth of its people, and the reassurance that Iceland was ready to welcome visitors. Consequently, the campaign had a positive effect, as evidenced by a substantial increase in tourist numbers, as depicted in the graph below.

Foreign visitor arrivals to Iceland

How does Iceland prepare for volcanic eruptions, and what was its impact?

Iceland has an effective monitoring system for its active volcanoes, with seismic stations and other instruments. There is close cooperation between meteorological, geological, and civil protection authorities. Public education and emergency planning are also vital to Iceland’s preparation strategy.

Iceland’s preparedness and rapid response, such as evacuating the area close to the volcano, mitigated the local impact of the eruption. However, the unprecedented disruption to air travel highlighted the need for better international coordination and understanding of volcanic ash’s effects on aviation.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 is a crucial example of how a volcanic event can have local and global impacts. The incident underscored the importance of preparedness, monitoring, and international cooperation in minimizing the effects of such natural disasters. It also highlighted the interconnectedness of our modern world and how a geological event in one country can have far-reaching consequences.

Location and Eruption Details

Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010 in southern Iceland; it’s a stratovolcano covered by an ice cap. The eruption was caused by the North American Plate drifting from the Eurasian Plate along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, creating a magma reservoir beneath the volcano.

Primary Effects

The eruption led to a massive ash cloud, air travel disruption with over 100,000 flights cancelled, local flooding from melting glaciers, and damage to agriculture , homes, and roads.

Secondary Effects

Economic loss reached an estimated $1.7 billion in the airline industry, long-term environmental impacts, health concerns from ash particles, and far-reaching effects on other countries like Kenya.

Immediate Responses

Approximately 800 people were evacuated; European airspace was closed for several days; emergency services responded quickly.

Long-Term Responses and Opportunities

Improved monitoring, regulations, and economic support were implemented; benefits included reduced CO2 emissions, increased passenger numbers in trains like Eurostar, enhanced biological productivity in the North Atlantic, and a successful Icelandic tourism campaign.

Preparedness and Impact

Iceland’s effective monitoring, public education, and emergency planning mitigated the local impact but emphasized the need for international coordination and understanding of volcanic ash’s effects on aviation. The eruption illustrated the interconnectedness of modern society and the far-reaching consequences of geological events.

Check Your Knowledge

Coming soon

Test Yourself

The natural environment, share this:.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Please Support Internet Geography

If you've found the resources on this site useful please consider making a secure donation via PayPal to support the development of the site. The site is self-funded and your support is really appreciated.

Search Internet Geography

Top posts and pages.

Latest Blog Entries

Pin It on Pinterest

• Click to share
• Print Friendly

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Air Travel Crisis Deepens as Europe Fears Wider Impact

By Steven Erlanger and Jack Ewing

• April 17, 2010

PARIS — As an increasingly large part of European airspace was shut down for the third day on Saturday and the towering fountain of ash from an Icelandic volcano showed no signs of letting up, questions about the long-term impact of the eruption were being raised in a continent trying to recover from recession.

With airports closed from Ireland to Ukraine, officials expressed hope that some air travel could resume Sunday, or possibly Monday, but the workings of Iceland’s volcano were too mysterious to make rational predictions about it. Winds pushed the particulate ash farther south and east on Saturday, as far as northern Italy.

About 17,000 flights were canceled Saturday, and travelers scrambled to find accommodation or land routes home during what is already the worst disruption in international air travel since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when all air travel in and out of the United States was halted for three days.

While the closing of the airways has already laid waste to the immediate plans and business of industry, the arts and world leaders, the possibility that it could drag on for days, if not weeks, is raising concerns about the longer term consequences for public health, military operations and the world economy.

The disaster is estimated to be costing airlines $200 million a day, but the economic damage will roll through to farms, retail establishments and nearly any other business that depends on air cargo shipments. Fresh produce will spoil, and supermarkets in Europe, used to year-round supplies, will begin to run out.

But unless flights are disrupted for weeks, threatening factories’ supply chains, economists do not think the crisis will significantly affect gross domestic product.

“If it really drags on another week that could be really serious,” said Peter Westaway, chief economist for Europe at the Nomura investment bank. The air travel shutdown could affect productivity, he said, if hundreds of thousands of people miss work or are not able to do business because they are stuck in limbo somewhere.

He would know. He was speaking by cellphone from Tokyo where he was watching British soccer on a barroom TV at 3 a.m. and waiting for news of when he might be able to get back to his office in London.

“We don’t understand how interconnected we are until you can’t do it anymore,” he said.

The shutdown has also affected American military operations. Military supplies for operations in Afghanistan have been disrupted, and a spokeswoman for the Pentagon said that all medical evacuation flights from Iraq and Afghanistan to Germany, where most injured soldiers are typically treated, were being diverted directly to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Within the European Command, some routine resupply missions and movement of personnel missions have been diverted or delayed, she said.

The World Health Organization issued an advisory saying that as long as the ash remains in the upper atmosphere, there is not likely to be increased health risk. So far, analysis of the ash shows that about a quarter of the particles are smaller than 10 microns, making them more dangerous because they can penetrate more deeply into the lungs, the W.H.O. said.

In Britain, where a layer of fine dust is already covering large areas of the country, the authorities are advising those with respiratory problems to stay indoors or wear masks out of doors.

But experts said most people had no reason to be alarmed. Dr. Neil W. Schluger, chief scientific officer for the World Lung Foundation, said people with asthma or lung disease could stay indoors or wear a mask to avoid irritation, but that there was little real danger, especially with the ash falling so far from the source.

“The bottom line,” said Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chief of pulmonology at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital, “is there’s no longterm health effect from volcanic ash.”

International transportation, however, was still what the front page of the French newspaper Le Parisien called “La Grande Pagaille” — the big mess.

Europe’s three largest airports — London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris-Charles de Gaulle — were all shut on Saturday, with officials hoping that flights could resume sometime on Sunday or, more likely, Monday. Britain, France, Germany and Ireland banned most commercial air traffic for another day. Airports in northern Italy were closed on Saturday. European airlines said that up to 70 percent of flights scheduled for Saturday were canceled as backlogs increased. .

The ash cloud was also wreaking havoc on sporting events and concerts as athletes and musicians canceled appearances.

It also scuttled routine diplomacy, an effect most evident in the dwindling guest list of dignitaries planning to attend the state funeral on Sunday for President Lech Kaczynski of Poland and his wife, who died in a plane crash last week. On Saturday, at least a dozen delegations canceled plans to attend, including those of President Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prince Charles of Britain.

President Valdis Zatlers of Latvia embarked Saturday on a 14-hour car trip so he could attend.

Mrs. Merkel had to spend Friday night in Lisbon after returning from the United States. She made it to Rome on Saturday and was expected to continue her journey by bus after spending the night in northern Italy, The Associated Press reported.

European finance ministers, meeting in Madrid, cut short sessions and press conferences to try to get home. Hotel cars were charging $5,600 to drive to Paris, according to Reuters, while journalists were being offered a bus ride to Brussels.

The airline industry was the first economic casualty. Steve Lott, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, said that with the conservative estimate of a $200 million loss in revenue per day, “we could easily hit a billion dollars’ loss in revenue next week.”

“The bottom line is that it could not have happened at a more difficult time for airlines that are trying to climb out of the global recession,” he said. “It’s been that way, many airlines feel like they take one step forward, two steps back.”

At Air France, Hervé Erschler, a company spokesman, sounded exhausted. “We don’t know exactly how many of our flights got canceled,” he admitted, “but I can tell you that right now there is literally no traffic.”

Even FedEx abandoned its pledge to absolutely, positively get it there overnight, if “there” meant northern Europe. More than 100 FedEx flights have been rerouted, diverted or canceled, said Carla Boyd, a company spokeswoman. She said 15 airports that FedEx serves directly have been closed.

At least one major airline, Lufthansa, expressed frustration at what it suggested was excessive caution by the German authorities, who kept every German airport closed to air traffic for a second day. Amélie Schwierholz, a Lufthansa spokeswoman in Frankfurt, said the company had flown a large jet from Munich to Frankfurt on Saturday without passengers but without incident, although at a lower altitude than normal.

But German officials defended their decision. “What’s more important, the safety of passengers or business?” asked Helmut Malewski, a meteorologist at the German Weather Service. “No one knows how to deal with this situation. We’re erring on the side of safety.”

So was British Airways, which canceled all flights until Monday morning, and Asian airlines, which canceled flights in and out of Europe. Cathay Pacific said it would stop taking such reservations for several days, while Qantas encouraged “customers who have somewhere to stay to remain where they are.”

The volcano, meanwhile, continued to defy predictions. Clive Oppenheimer, a volcanologist at the University of Cambridge, said the average span of a volcanic eruption is a month or two. In the case of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, he said, scientists need to know more about how much molten rock is beneath it, but concluded, “We could see intermittent activity over the coming months.”

But Leo Liao, a Hong Kong businessman who was stranded at the Frankfurt airport, was cheerful and philosophical. “It’s a natural issue,” he said. “Never complain. You can’t change this.”

Steven Erlanger reported from Paris, and Jack Ewing from Frankfurt. Reporting was contributed by Julia Werdigier from London, Nadim Audi from Paris, Nicolas Kulish from Warsaw, Bettina Wassener from Hong Kong, Ian Urbina from Washington, and Liz Robbins and Donald G. McNeil Jr. from New York.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Small earthquakes, including one on Saturday, have occurred near Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano.

Icelandic Volcano Eruption Leads to Air Travel Warning

Ash clouds from a 2010 eruption halted thousands of airline flights.

Iceland lowered its aviation alert on Sunday, after airplane reconnaissance flights suggested that magma may not, in fact, have erupted from the surface under the glacier.

A small eruption has started beneath a glacier near a large ice-capped volcano in Iceland, raising flooding fears and triggering an aviation warning over potential ash clouds heading skywards.

"It is believed that a small subglacial lava-eruption has begun," announced Iceland's Meteorological Office in a statement on Saturday . The aviation warning code for the region was changed to "red," meaning no overflights, as a result. (Related: " Q & A: Why Iceland’s Volcanoes Have Vexed Humans for Centuries. ")

The 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano triggered floods and ash plumes that halted air travel to Europe, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. (Related: "Iceland Volcano Erupts Under Ice, Triggers Floods." )

The small eruption   seems to have come from beneath the   Dyngjujökull glacier, according to the statement. About 328 to 1,312 feet (100 to 400 meters) of ice cover the still subglacial eruption. No ash clouds are reported.

Icelandic officials had reported that the minor quakes, including a magnitude 4.5 one that struck early Saturday, have occurred near the Bárđarbunga volcano, the country’s second highest mountain at 6,560 feet (2,000 meters). It lies in the remote central region of Iceland under the largest glacier, Vatnajökull. (Related: "Pictures: Iceland Volcano Erupts, Under Ice This Time." )

No one lives near the volcano, but with nearly one temblor striking per minute, officials had evacuated tourists from the area north of it, where floodwaters would flow.

A full-scale eruption from the region, "could be a moderate-sized one, which will look quite large to most people," says volcanologist Agust Gudmundsson of the University of London in the United Kingdom.

Swarm Physics

The largest of the quakes around the volcano were magnitude 4.5 in size, mild ones. But the continuing pattern of quakes and their drift to the northeast has raised concern among geologists.

"The rate of earthquakes has increased such that they are happening so quickly that it is difficult for the seismologist to discern individual events," according to a summary of the situation from public officials.

Right now a finger of magma, or molten rock, which rose from the Earth's mantle more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) underground, is filling a fracture in the crust beneath the volcano. The plume had appeared to be traveling horizontally to the northeast, veering to the north late in the week. Its temperature is more than 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit (1,200 degrees Celsius).

"It's like molten glass, it's viscous stuff," says geologist Marianne Guffanti of the U.S. Geologic Survey. As it intrudes into surrounding rock, it breaks the rock and triggers earthquakes.

Iceland monitors seismic activity, stream flow from glaciers, and other indicators for signs of an eruption —a highly regarded observation effort that was honed by the 2010 eruptions.

Fire and Ice

Ice caps the volcano, which complicates the efforts at prediction, says Gudmundsson. If the magma erupts beneath the ice, the result would be sudden floods and a buildup of water vapor and pressure under the ice cap that could lead to a tremendous explosion if the magma melts through, sending ash as high as the stratosphere. That’s what happened in 2010.

On the other hand, "Data from radars and web-cameras is being received, showing no signs of changes at the surface," of the glacier, according to Iceland's most recent status report. It could be anywhere from 0 to 20 hours for the magma to melt through. "It is also possible that the lava will not break through the ice, and the eruption could remain subglacial," says the report.

Whether an eruption that breaks through the ice would exactly mimic the one in 2010 is hard to say, since the basaltic magma beneath Bárđarbunga is of a different variety, and the grain size of ash depends on complex interactions with water vapor. Smaller grains travel higher and pose more of a threat to jet engines.

A sudden jökulhlaup flood from the region would sweep north within an hour of the eruption and take nine hours to reach Iceland's northern coast, Gudmundsson says.

Bárđarbunga is more than 124 miles (200 kilometers) from Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, so it poses little threat to populated parts of the island. Aside from some farms on the coastline, no one lives in the barren region threatened with flooding. But its remoteness made evacuation of tourists from the region a reasonable precaution.

Evacuation Precaution

If the magma were to travel far enough horizontally to erupt outside the ice-capped part of the region, then the eruption would look more like lava flows on Hawaii, Gudmundsson says, "only larger."

Like Hawaii, Iceland sits atop a hot spot in the Earth's crust, where magma readily travels from deep in the Earth's mantle to the surface. But it also straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the boundary along which the European and North American tectonic plates are spreading apart at a rate of about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) every year. Magma wells up in that rift to fill the gap and produce new crust.

The conjunction of two sources of magma accounts for the prodigious volcanism that has built the entire island of Iceland—a place where significant eruptions are seen about once every five years.

The largest eruption seen worldwide in the last 10,000 years likely took place at Bárđarbunga roughly 8,000 years ago, Gudmundsson says. "There is plenty of magma beneath this volcanic system."

Follow Dan Vergano on Twitter .

Related Topics

• EARTHQUAKES

You May Also Like

Why Iceland's latest eruption may be the most dangerous in recent history

Startling volcanic activity has town in Iceland bracing for crisis

For hungry minds.

Iceland's latest eruption is quieting down—but the explosive upheaval isn't over yet

Iceland eruption may be the start of decades of volcanic activity

Iceland has entered a new volcanic era

Volcanoes blow smoke rings. Here's how they do it.

This airline is now weighing passengers — but why?

• Environment

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Coronavirus Coverage
• Paid Content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

From 1996: Meet the man who invented a wearable computer

Kimberly J. Brown on shooting favorite ‘Halloweentown’ scene with Debbie Reynolds

MTP Flashback: Al Gore warned about rising temperatures 30 years ago

Flashback: Jimmy Carter called abortions ‘wrong’ and a ‘failure of contraceptive techniques’

Flashback: Biden wasn't always for Roe. Here's what he said sold him

‘A culture of death’: Post-Columbine, GOP Senator talks about video games and gun violence

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ voice actor reflects on the holiday film

Director Baz Luhrmann reflects on the casting and making of ‘Romeo + Juliet’

Melissa Joan Hart reflects on ‘Sabrina’ and talks ‘Mistletoe in Montana’

Jerry O’Connell on resonance of ‘Jerry Maguire’ 25 years later

Director Baz Luhrmann revisits shooting ‘Romeo + Juliet’

‘Peanuts’ voice actor shares memories of Charles Schulz

'Parent Trap' star Hayley Mills talks original movie and Lindsay Lohan remake

‘The Office’ actor Brian Baumgartner shares his favorite parts about playing Kevin Malone

Andrea Lewis, Christina Schmidt on where their ‘Degrassi’ characters would be today

Chad Michael Murray reflects on ‘Gilmore Girls,’ his 1st recurring role

‘Degrassi’ stars dish on reuniting for Drake’s music video

‘Degrassi’ actor Daniel Clark reveals favorite moments as Sean Cameron

Scott Patterson shares memorable moments as Luke Danes on ‘Gilmore Girls’

Jonathan Tucker looks back on playing his ‘divisive’ character in ‘Parenthood’

Nbcnews.com, flashback: the travel chaos of the 2010 icelandic eruption.

A volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea has forced some planes to alter their flight paths - a reminder of Iceland's 2010 volcanic eruption, which caused major travel disruptions. Aug. 29, 2014

Best of NBC News

Nightly News Netcast

Nightly news full broadcast (may 5th).

Nightly News

New details in missing surfers investigation.

8 million under flood threat as deadly flood water engulfs Southeast Texas

Graduates pay heartfelt tribute to parents during graduation

Gold Star families fall victim to Army-appointed ‘con man’

Republican veepstakes heat up as Trump remains mum on potential pick

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Volcano ash continues to disrupt air travel

Travellers faced continuing delays today as ash from the Iceland volcano continued to disrupt airline schedules.

Most people heading for European destinations had relatively minor problems despite a few cancellations. But severe disruption continued to hit transatlantic flights as aircraft were forced into long detours around the ash cloud, adding hours to flight times.

All European airports were open this morning after ash concentrations over the continent dispersed, but ash may head back towards Portugal and Spain this afternoon, causing more problems.

Airlines were reducing flights to some destinations but providing bigger aircraft to carry more passengers as they tried to keep to their timetables after another weekend of travel disruption.

The Eurocontrol air traffic body said it expected 28,500 flights in European airspace today, about 500 below average. Traffic levels yesterday were 1,500 flights down as the plume closed airports from Scotland to northern Italy.

Flights to and from the US, Canada and the Caribbean were often several hours late, while Ryanair cancelled 18 flights today, including some between the UK and Faro, in Portugal.

EasyJet, which had to cancel some flights yesterday, said it was operating a near-normal service today with "only a very small number of cancellations".

British Airways said it was trying to keep passengers informed "but it is a challenge when the cloud keeps moving around".

Airports and airlines continued to urge passengers to check the latest information before travelling to their airport. The controlling body for UK airspace, Nats , said: "The high density area of the volcanic ash cloud is now lying to the north-west of the UK and, as a result, there are currently no restrictions within UK airspace."

The Civil Aviation Authority , which agrees no-fly zones based on Met Office data, said current forecasts indicated skies over Britain should remain clear for the next 18-24 hours.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "We're all at the mercy of the volcano and there is just no way of knowing how long it will continue to erupt. We would normally be getting south-westerly winds at this time of year and it's pretty unusual to have northerly winds dominating the weather. It's very much a day-to-day situation at the moment. The volcano died down a bit for a spell and has now got more active."

• Iceland volcano 2010 (Eyjafjallajökull)
• Air transport
• Airline industry
• British Airways

Most viewed

Category : Air travel disruption after the Eyjafjöll 2010 eruption

Media in category "air travel disruption after the eyjafjöll 2010 eruption".

The following 33 files are in this category, out of 33 total.

• 2010 eruption series in the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system
• 2010 in aviation
• Volcanic damage
• 2010 eruption series in Eyjafjallajökull central volcano
• Uses of Wikidata Infobox
• Uses of Wikidata Infobox with no image

Navigation menu

Heathrow strikes to cause 'widespread disruption': Full list of dates and which departments are walking out

Here's what you need to know about when all the strike days are and which staff are set to walk out.

Monday 29 April 2024 17:36, UK

Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next two weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are staging a series of walkouts - and one union has warned of "widespread disruption".

Here's what you need to know about when the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which departments are taking part.

Border Force officers

They are walking out for four days from now until Thursday 2 May over changes to their working conditions, according to the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union.

The union said more than 300 of its members working at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the airport are striking.

The effect of this strike is on arrivals rather than departures.

The action is taking place because around 250 Border Force staff will lose their jobs at passport control under new roster plans, the union says.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "Our members are angry and disappointed at being forced out of their jobs.

"While not everyone will be affected, the changes will disproportionately hit those who are disabled or have caring responsibilities.

"The Home Office should be doing all it can to retain experienced, trained staff - not lose them by introducing an unworkable new roster system."

A Home Office spokesperson said it had "robust plans in place to minimise any potential disruption" during the strikes and "keeping our borders secure remains or top priority".

The spokesperson said they were "disappointed" with the union's decision but remained "open to discussing a resolution".

"The changes we are implementing will bring the working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at other ports, provide them with more certainty on working patterns and improve the service to the travelling public," the spokesperson added.

Almost 800 staff in various departments

Unite members in the following departments at Heathrow are set to take part in a week of strike action in May:

• Passenger services - who assist travellers to catch connecting flights

• Trolley operations

• Campus security - the security guards who are responsible for all workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked before entering Heathrow

• Firefighters

• Airside operations

The walkouts will take place on the following days:

• Tuesday 7 May

• Wednesday 8 May

• Thursday 9 May

• Friday 10 May

• Saturday 11 May

• Sunday 12 May

• Monday 13 May

Unite says the strike action "will inevitably cause widespread disruption across the airport, leading to delays and disruption".

It says the airport has announced the work of passenger services, trolley operations and campus security is set to be outsourced by 1 June in a "cost-cutting exercise" that Heathrow has stated will save it £40m.

"This cost reduction will lead to a substantial reduction in the number of workers, which raises serious security concerns, given the safety critical nature of much of the work undertaken," Unite says.

Its firefighters and airside operation members are also striking because they fear they "may be next in line" to have their work outsourced, the union adds.

Read more on Sky News: Train strikes in May - full list of lines affected Which countries are unsafe to travel to amid Middle East tensions?

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Heathrow Airport's actions are deplorable, it is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.

"Unite is fully focused on defending its members jobs, pay and conditions and our members at Heathrow will receive the union's unrelenting support during this dispute."

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers. There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.

"Unite's threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly, just like we have in the past."

A strike involving refuelling workers, which was set to affect more than 30 airlines from 4 May to 6 May, has been called off after they accepted a new offer on pay and conditions.

Related Topics

• Heathrow Airport

Southwest passengers now get a $75 voucher for big flight disruptions

Southwest Airlines has launched a new compensation fund for inconvenienced fliers, offering $75 vouchers to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled for a reason within the airline’s control.

The compensation fund is part of the airline’s $140 million settlement with the Transportation Department, following Southwest’s operational meltdown in December 2022. A mix of winter weather, holiday travel and failing Southwest scheduling systems resulted in nearly 17,000 canceled or significantly delayed flights, affecting 2 million passengers. Southwest agreed to pay the government $35 million and create a $90 million voucher fund for future fliers impacted by operational errors, on top of the $600 million it paid out in refunds and reimbursements to customers impacted by the holiday debacle.

While the original agreement terms slated the voucher program to start Tuesday, Southwest rolled out the fund April 16. Any passenger who arrives at their final destination three or more hours after the scheduled arrival time for domestic flights or six hours for international flights can request a $75 voucher. The money is available only for fliers facing snafus within Southwest’s control, such as a mechanical issue or swapping planes.

To receive the money, customers can fill out a form online . The request must be submitted within one year from the delayed or canceled flight. Southwest should get back to customers within 30 days, according to Southwest spokeswoman Laura Swift. The compensation fund is expected to run for three years.

Last week, the Biden administration announced new rules for airlines to strengthen passenger protection and increase transparency in the industry. Under the new regulations, airlines are required to streamline the refund process for canceled flights and abandon hidden fees by disclosing the price of surcharges for luggage and changes to reservations upfront.

While announcing those rules, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also mentioned Southwest’s vouchers as a customer service measure that could influence other airlines.

“This is the month when those vouchers as part of the Southwest settlement kick in, and Southwest will now, because we are making them, really lead the market on that,” Buttigieg said. “It’ll be very interesting to see what other airlines respond — not as punishment, but by way of competition.”

In a statement Tuesday, DOT officials said they will be “closely monitoring” Southwest’s program, requiring the airline to submit an annual report documenting the voucher expenditures over the next three years.

Hannah Sampson contributed to this report.

Red Line service disruptions to begin May 2, last several weeks

The mbta says riders should plan for extra travel time during these disruptions, by staff reports • published april 30, 2024 • updated on april 30, 2024 at 10:42 am.

The MBTA Red Line will have service disruptions starting later this week that'll last several weeks, the transit agency said Monday.

The Red Line will be suspended daily between Park Street and JFK/UMass stations from May 2 to May 10, the MBTA said. The service change was initially scheduled to begin Wednesday.

Evening Red Line trains will also not be running between Park Street and Ashmont stations from about 8:30 p.m. through the end of service every day, according to the MBTA.

Commuters will be able to take free shuttle buses.

Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.

On the weekends of May 11-12 and May 18-19, shuttle buses will replace Commuter Rail service between South Station and Braintree.

Also on those two weekends, shuttles will also replace service between Broadway and North Quincy on May 11-12, and again between Broadway and Braintree from May 18-19.

The closure will allow the transit agency to address eight speed restrictions and work on lighting repairs, painting and deep cleaning, the MBTA said.

The MBTA says riders should plan for extra travel time during these disruptions.

For more information, click here .

More MBTA news

Eng reflects on ‘whirlwind' first year at T

Service suspended on Green Line D Branch Extension after train fails to stop at signal

House's big plans for T include MBTA Academy

This article tagged under:.

Ryanair issues a travel warning for Britons going on holiday today amid potential disruptions

Ryanair has warned of disruptions

By Sarra Gray

Published: 05/05/2024

Ryanair has asked holidaymakers to check the status of their flights if travelling today

Don't miss, ‘this time last year king charles had a spring in his step – but luck was not on his side’, royal navy deals ‘hammer blow’ to drug traffickers as cocaine worth £500m seized, klopp praises 'outstanding' salah as liverpool beat tottenham, princess kate 'going through hell', says close confidante, prince andrew facing eviction from royal home as king 'alarmed' by disgraced brother, tourists told to 'go home' as protesters claim spanish hotspot has become 'unliveable', jeremy clarkson launches savage attack on woke britain - 'there are warnings before every show', prince harry ‘not allowed’ to be alone with king charles, queue forms at one human checkout in sainsbury's as britons refuse self-checkout - enough, trending on gb news, uk hot weather: britain set for mini-heatwave with two weeks of dry sunshine.

Ryanair customers may face delays if travelling to or from London Stansted due to poor weather conditions.

This is outside of Ryanair's control and other airlines may be affected by the delays.

Holidaymakers should check for updates on their flights but they will also be contacted if they are affected.

The budget airline states: "Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling to/from London Stansted on Sunday 5 May should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.

Flyers at London Stansted may be affected

"We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions, which are outside of Ryanair's control and affect all airlines operating to/from London Stansted Sunday 5 May."

What to do if your flight is delayed

Tourists can seek compensation if flights are severely delayed or cancelled but what this entails can vary depending on the reason.

Ryanair flyers can get help from colleagues at the airport to find out if they are applicable and they may be entitled to meal vouchers or accommodation.

The airline states: "If your flight is expected to be delayed for two hours or more (for flights up to 1,500km) or three hours or more (for intra-EU flights over 1,500km and other flights between 1,500km and 3,500km) you will receive assistance at the airport, including meal coupons.

"Flights can be cancelled for reasons beyond our control, for example, ATC strike, adverse weather conditions, medical emergencies, etc.

"If your delay extends to the next day, we will oftentimes provide hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and the accommodation."

Those who have a delayed flight may also be able to request to be rerouted to the destination at the earliest opportunity or change their flight to a new time or date for free.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Jet2 launches new routes from the UK to three 'beautiful' destinations this summer - full details
• easyJet adds new packages from UK to 'stunning' spots in Spain and France
• Holidaymakers given fresh warning for Sweden as threat grows this week

Customers are advised to check the app

Ryanair added: "You may also be entitled to compensation in accordance with the applicable Passenger Rights Regulations. Entitlement for compensation for delayed flights depends on eligibility criteria.

"There are only a small number of cases where passengers are entitled to compensation for cancelled flights. Flights can be cancelled for reasons beyond our control, for example ATC strikes, adverse weather conditions, medical emergencies, etc.

"If circumstances are beyond Ryanair’s control, you will not be entitled to compensation.

"Ryanair operates over 2,800 flights per day so it can take 24-96 hours for our operations team to establish why a flight has been cancelled. Please be rest assured it is a priority for us to resolve all potential claims as quickly as we can."

You may like

Listen live

The browser you are using is not supported. Please see our supported browsers .

Travel Advisory in effect

Please visit our Guest Updates page for more information.

We’ve recently updated our privacy statement .

By using the WestJet website, you agree to the website terms of use , the privacy statement , and the use of cookies .

WestJet issues 72-hour lockout notification to its Tech Ops union, AMFA

WestJet today has issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union that represents WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. As a result of today’s lockout notice, a work stoppage could occur as early as Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 12 p.m. MT, unless a deal is reached. 

“The decision to issue a lockout notice was not one that was made lightly, and we sincerely regret and apologize for the uncertainty this causes for our guests and the communities and regions that rely on us. Despite our unwavering commitment to reach a collective agreement, AMFA continues to show up to the bargaining table with unreasonable demands and expectations,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airline and Group Chief Operating Officer. “With AMFA publicly issuing a strike vote alert last week and publicly directing guests to fly with other carriers, we can’t allow the unpredictable nature and lack of progress to continue. We are left with no alternative but to issue a lockout notice in an attempt to bring this to a final resolution.”

The WestJet Group has been in active labour negotiations with AMFA since September 2023. The WestJet Group has presented an offer to AMFA that would make WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in Canada, with a cumulative wage increase of over 20 per cent across the span of the collective agreement. The offer would also deliver industry leading work-life balance standards and strong commitments to job security. 

"We sincerely value the work and contributions of our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, and our proposed agreement reflects this. We are unwaveringly committed to reaching an agreement to prevent travel disruption, however, we are equally prepared to protect the travel plans of our guests and to provide long-term stability and security for all employees at the WestJet Group,” concluded Pen. 

Issuing a 72-hour lockout notice does not mean travel disruption will occur. However, in the coming days, the WestJet Group will take all necessary actions to manage the impacts as much as possible, including: 

• Beginning preparations to operate a reduced schedule. 
• Proactively managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of their flight.  
• Providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternative arrangements. 

Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and applicable dates for flexible change and cancel options.

Share this article

• Twitter (X)

Article Media

• Copy article text
• Download all images

Related Articles

WestJet today has issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union that represents WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. As a result of today’s lockout notice, a work stoppage could occur as early as Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 12 p.m. MT, unless a deal is reached.

Achieving a deal for our valued Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

An update from Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and WestJet Group Chief Operating Officer, from the bargaining table in Chicago

WestJet Service Update: YYZ Gate Gourmet labour disruption impact

WestJet teams are working to ensure catering operations return to normal as quickly as possible.