UK + Northern Europe Airspace Shut Down Due to Volcanic Ash

[LGA777]

Does not effect NYC airports but here is a USAirways update from Wednesday 4-21:

Volcanic Ash Update - April 21, 2010

For the first time since Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted last Wednesday, US Airways is planning for a full east-bound Trans-Atlantic operation tonight. Last night we restored service to Paris (CDG), Zurich (ZRH), Brussels (BRU) and Dublin (DUB). Tonight we will reinstate service to Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), London (LGW and LHR), Manchester (MAN) and Munich (MUC). We have been routinely operating to Barcelona (BCN), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO) and Tel Aviv (TLV).

Non-revenue space available travel is strongly not recommended to Europe for at least the next 14-21 days. The ash cloud continues to be volatile and irregular trans-Atlantic operations are expected for the near future.

And I am happy to report Jay Selman is home in CLT. After a 2 1/2 day 2 night trip from London to Paris via bus, train, and ship he arrived at CDG this morning and somehow managed a seat on the very first US flight out, ironically bound for CLT on a new 332. His ordeal is thankfully over !

Cheers

LGA777

[LGA777]

According to flightaware, these stranded aircraft have departed:

Lufthansa A330-300 departed EWR for DUS
Lufthansa A340-600 departed EWR for MUC
Lufthansa A340-300 departed JFK for MUC

At least the Lufthansa aircraft were ferried empty back to Germany, Air France to BOD was full of passengers, not sure of the others. Continental operated additional flights to LIS and MAD today on the 762 and 764 respectively and upgrade OSL/ARN to the 764 as well. A KLM 747-400, KL643, departed AMS for JFK earlier this evening.

http://airlineroute.net/category/2010-a ... isruption/

One correction and addition to Gordon's excellent list, the Lufthansa flights where all live with passengers onboard, some may have been extra sections. The LH 744 that was stranded at JFK was the actual 1st transatlantic departure from JFK as it headed home to FRA !

Cheers

LGA777

[NLovis]

Next question. Where is this 2nd ash cloud headed?