The latest information from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicates the Grimsvotn volcano has paused eruptions and has only on-going low level seismic activity. Based on this, the Met Office is advising that the situation continues to improve and it seems likely there will only be minimal ash over the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The movement of the ash cloud will depend on whether there are any further volcanic eruptions and how the weather patterns develop but overall the picture is a positive one for travel over the next few days.
This does not rule out some delays or disruption due to the knock on effect of the ash earlier in the week.
This will be the last update unless there is a further change which could potentially threaten flight arrangements.
Read more about Kuoni’s ash guarantee here.
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Statement as at: 25/05/2011 10:50
Volcanic activity has diminished since the initial eruption but is still on-going. The ash cloud has moved away into the North Sea and is expected to continue in this direction over the next 24 hours.
This means the threat to UK air space has lessened and normal operations should resume today and hopefully tomorrow at the airports, although due to the knock-on effect from yesterday there could still be some minor delays and disruption.
However it is anticipated that due to a change in wind patterns, high concentrations of ash may move toward the UK on Friday. This is being closely monitored and a further update will be sent once more information is received.
We will post further updates as and when we receive information from the FTO with the latest information from the CAA and Met Office.
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Statement as at: 24/05/2011 18:45
UK airspace has remained open but there has been some disruption to flights in Scotland and Newcastle. Currently all airports are open and operating with some cancellations. This afternoon the Met office predicted that the plume of ash was likely to head in a south westerly direction between 6pm and midnight and would probably avoid the London area. However the situation remains unpredictable and constantly changing.
We will post further updates as and when we receive information from the FTO with the latest information from the CAA and Met Office.
The Kuoni customers affected today have been re-routed or other arrangements have been made with little disruption to their holiday plans.
Any customers who could potentially be affected are being contacted.
Our local agents have been fully briefed and are aware of our policy should it be necessary for any customers to remain in resort.
If anyone is unable to return home due to a flight cancellation we will be referring them in the first instance to the airline to check if they are covering their extended stay. If the airline will not agree to do this, Kuoni will extend the customers stay at their original hotel (subject to availability) on a room and breakfast basis.
For all other bookings, normal Booking Conditions apply if customers want to cancel or amend their holiday at this stage.
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Statement as at: 24/05/11 10:15
Overnight some high density ash concentration has moved in over Scotland. This has been slower moving than originally predicted.
Currently all UK airspace is open but it is predicted that there will be some flight disruption during the day. British Airways has taken the decision to cancel all flights in and out of Scotland until at least 2pm today.
There is some uncertainty as to whether the cloud will continue to move south or dissipate through Wednesday. It is thought that any ash cloud reaching London today would be of low density and not expected to cause any problems. The MET office has said there is a potential for the low pressure system in the Atlantic to draw in the air from Iceland later in the week and with it further ash cloud.
We are closely monitoring all the information and checking with airports and airlines for updates. If anything changes we will send a further update.
Any customers who could be potentially affected are being contacted.
If anyone is unable to return home due to a flight cancellation we will be referring them in the first instance to the airline to check if they are covering their extended stay. If the airline will not agree to do this, Kuoni will extend the clients stay at their original hotel (subject to availability) on a room and breakfast basis. We are contacting all our local agents to ensure they are aware.
For all other bookings, normal Booking Conditions apply if customers want to cancel or amend their holiday at this stage.
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Statement as at: 23/05/11 12:37
Icelandic Airspace has been closed for all flights following the eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano on Saturday 21 May.
At this stage there is much speculation as to whether this will have any effect on UK airspace but the general opinion seems to be that even if the ash cloud reaches the UK it would be unlikely to cause the level of disruption seen in April 2010. Weather conditions and apparently the density of the ash are very different.
The Aviation Authority has stated it is unlikely that there will be any disruption to flights in the UK within the next 24 hours. Beyond that time there is no information but we will continue to monitor the situation and if anything were to change we will send a further update.
The Kuoni Operations department are monitoring the situation and have teams in place as well as liaising with Kuoni’s overseas agents in the event that the situation deteriorates in order to assist customers.
Normal Booking Conditions apply if clients want to cancel or amend their holiday at this stage.
Further updates will be posted here on the Kuoni website www.kuoni.co.uk
Read more about Kuoni’s ash guarantee here.