Flipping Volcano!

Winky,_The_House_Elf

frannyann wrote: »

I am 'following' the Ashcloud on twitter!! It is moving!

as in emotional or changing position?:D

Sammy85_2

Just another note for all you guys... if you havent taken our insurance yet, then any policy you take out will now definately not cover you for this volcano causing a nuisance in the future. Providing you took out insurance prior to the 15th April then you should still be covered (if your insurance isnt playing the act of god card)

Im just looking at booking a holiday but i think im going to leave it to the last minute as the volcano is looking to be exploding for the next 6 months and could spew out ash again at any time.

Horace

Winky check with your airline about what is going on..I know that our airspace is closed until tomorrow and I think that air traffic control are looking at the situation on a day by day basis. Check the BBC and I think there is a site called NATS - (National Air Traffic Controllers) which is giving regular updates on the situation. There are some airports that are open..those in Southern Italy seem to be open...its just the flying through European airspace that is the problem.

Good luck hun.

CG19a

Winky, just a thought I had... Check to see if there is any minimum residence period before you can get married. Just in case you arrive a day or two late, you might have to postpone the ceremony a day or two to fit in the minimum residence period if there is one.

Winky,_The_House_Elf

Thanks guys!

We're lucky enough to have my sister on the case and she has alternitive flights planned if we can't fly on Saturday, but would have to change the wedding date as you are spot on CG19 about the minimum residency, its 3 days in St Lucia so need to be there before Monday!

Still feeling sick to the pit of my stomache though!

Horace

I have a friend who is a travel counsellor and this is the email that she sent me, admittedly she is talking about folks who are stuck trying to get back but the information may be useful:

If you know anyone needing help – I have been chained to desk/my phones and pc’s since Friday and helping lots of clients..



I don’t think there will be flights out for quite a few days + aircraft /crew are all in the wrong places...



I will be out for a few hours and then checking updates 24/7- up to midnight and from 0700 tomorrow.



Phone/Mobile/emails on regular check if you know anyone that needs help.

Have this morning just got a crowd back from Spain via coach/ferry.



FYI

I am very busy this sunny weekend helping my clients stuck overseas and those due to travel... plus I have had calls from many I know who have made their own arrangements and helped them with car rental/coaches/trains and ferry return..



Air passenger rights with Airlines



European legislation provides rights to passengers booked on an EU based airline if their flight into, within or out of the EU are delayed or cancelled. So of the flights is cancelled/delayed and the customer is stuck in resort the airline has a responsibility to provide for example accommodation and transfers. This is regardless of whether the customer has booked flight only or a packaged holiday. It is wise to advise customers that they should not assume that an airline will continue to pay for their existing accommodation, but rather the airline may find an alternative, possibly cheaper option.



This responsibility on the airline was clearly written without the current situation in mind and we do understand that the airlines are now urgently lobbying the EU for the requirement to be amended/removed. However, at the moment they do have that clear responsibility although that does not mean they will all do as they should because the financial implications of this are now so huge for them and many others.



If clients flew abroad with a non-European airline, the EU the legislation does not apply and the customer/you will need to check with your airline.



If a flight has been cancelled the airline is obliged to either re-book a customer onto an alternative flight or offer a refund.



However, as the disruption is beyond the airlines' control there is no right to any financial compensation.



Package Holidays/tour operators



If you has booked a package holiday, the tour operator is responsible for protecting the holiday and providing a suitable alternative holiday or a full refund.



It is the subject of some debate whether the tour operator also has a responsibility under the EU travel, package regulations to look after the customer in resort (ie to get the customer home and for their care and accommodation in the meantime) as a result of delays arising from flight cancellations caused by the volcanic ash and the situation is changing daily. Some of you may have heard Simon Calder, (whom I have spoken to and am contact with, along with our legal adviser) on the radio and other media arguing strongly that they do have this responsibility. The CAA and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are also advising customers the same.



Our legal advice is that it is not so clear and is a grey area because it is such a one off event.



Our view is that it should be argued strongly that the tour operator has a responsibility from a customer service view to provide support to the customer and not just to wash their hands of it completely. However, the longer this goes on we will find operators resisting making any effort to look after the customer because of the financial impact on them and some may not physically be able to afford it.



I have spent the last 3 days liaising with suppliers so we get the support we need where we can.





Other protections



Do you have travel insurance as some policies may cover you- If you paid by credit card, you may be able to claim the cost of the flight from the credit card provider.



Other support/help



The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) have now set up an emergency telephone number for people stuck overseas and without financial means. The number is 0207 008 000. No doubt it will be horrendously busy. For customers without the means to look after themselves financially or those requiring assistance with medical supplies and the like, the FCO are advising them to contact the local Consol or Embassy.


That is as clear as I can be at this stage, and I hope that it is helpful.

Please email or call me if I can help anyone further

https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint
E:clare.flint@travelcounsellors.co.uk

Sazbo

frannyann wrote: »

I am 'following' the Ashcloud on twitter!! It is moving!

Winky,_The_House_Elf wrote: »

as in emotional or changing position?:D

:rotfl: That has really cheered me up! We're honeymooning in Cornwall, but we've got relatives flying over from the states a week on friday for our wedding on the 4th... trying not to worry about it but...

Sx

Winky,_The_House_Elf

I might just be sick with relief! It looks like things will be better from tomorrow, although how long it will take them to sort out all the mess is anyones guess!

Taken from the NATS site:Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday.
From 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday, Scottish airspace will be open, and south to a line between Teesside and Blackpool. Mainland Scottish airports will be open.
This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700 local; however, the latest Met Office advice is that the contaminated area will continue to move south with the possibility that restrictions to airspace above England and Wales, including the London area, may be lifted later tomorrow (Tuesday).
We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 2100 (local time), today

chelbel1981

Winky have you contacted your travel company???

I did and up to now we don't need to worry, but we will know more Friday (Saturday at the lastest) First Choice are either refunding or moving holidays you get to choose.

My fingers are crossed for us both but TBH I'm not holding my breathe after just hearing the ash cloud has strengthend

SparkleWitch

We are due to fly to Italy on 7th May (wedding on 11th May) and I feel so flat I could cry at the moment My logical side tells me that it will all be fine by then but then bridezilla kicks in and I start to panic.

I am frightened to feel excited anymore in case it all gets cancelled. I know that there would be a possibility of the date/holiday being moved but I know that our certificate of no impediment is only valid for a short time which may throw a spanner in the works. Plus its coming up to the busy wedding season and the chance of getting a new time/date would be slim. We also have booked and paid for our party when we get back to the UK The more I think about it all the more upset and deflated I feel and I know that there is nothing that can be done about it. I also know that there are thousands of people far worse off than me, stranded away from home etc but I still can't get my wedding mojo back.

Sorry for the whinge ladies, good luck to Winky and everybody xx