Join me in mild panic about the latest volcanic ash cloud...

[Whoamireally]

So here I am, stood in my lounge, surrounded by half packed suitcases, wondering what the ash cloud has in store for us this week?

My sympathies are with anyone flying from NI/ Scotland who has had their much looked forward to holiday cancelled or postponed already this week - the cloud is headed south and it could be airports in Northern England/ Wales tomorrow. Due to fly from Bham to Tenerife on Friday so on tenterhooks to see whether we'll be affected too.

I know it's much better to be stuck at home than abroad but still very disappointing...

Trying to be philosophical as there is not much you can do about it and much better to be safe than sorry - I know lots of MNetters have been through the first cloud, what happened about your hols in the end? Did you get a refund, or are you out of pocket?

Not literally been through, that was the one thing you weren't allowed to do But in the sense of having experienced it!

i caught the end of the news...something about it going on/affecting flights all summer??

I am sure I read somewhere that last time the volcano erupted for 2 whole years, but that was before planes were invented. So it could be a lot longer than that!

I am wondering if as time goes on it will be harder and harder for people to claim money back for their hols etc as the tour operators and airlines will be forced to adopt a much harder line.

my dd is going to greece with her friend and her parents in july. worried now they'll be stranded!

I think you just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best! But that's the bit I don't like - if they said yes you can fly or no you can't it'd be easier to plan for. Have never been one for uncertainties!

I am peturbed by this too. I am flying to Manchester from Zurich next week. Fingers crossed I am anyway.

I'm going to Corfu from Luton in 9 days time. Just have to hope for the best.

we go in 3 weeks and Im really thinking about cancelling. I dont have a credit card for use abroad either so dont want to be stuck with no funds heard some people have had to get their own acc and food

I just got back from the gym and when I mentioned to a few people that we were going on hol on Friday they all grimaced in an oh poor you kind of way.

Curvey, that's a tough call to have to make, would you get your money back anyway at this late notice? It's so hard, because this could go on for a while and what are you supposed to do, just not take an overseas holiday until it's all settled down...

Future disruptions will have clearer guidance, than the confusion before. The CAA have updates www.caa.co.uk and also a new warning about a Volcanic Ash Compensation Scams (warning wasn't there this morning) there are some very sad low lifes in this world.

The EU Regulation (EC)261/2004 on Denied Boarding, Cancellation and Long Delays continues to apply. Know your rights before you depart
Your rights if your travel is disrupted - www.auc.org.uk

Thanks Wottknott that's helpful...looks like cautiously positive news for the next 24 hours or so

We are supposed to be going on Saturday to Pisa, and yes I am getting a bit concerned. It wouldn't be a big deal financially to cancel as it was £80 for flights and we are visiting friends, but it would be a big deal for DH if we got stuck there (due to come back next Weds) and he couldn't go to work!

We are going to S France at half-term & my son has to be back for Mon 7th June for an exam. I have been looking at TGV/Eurostar today; I think we will book it for him anyway as insurance (assuming we get there in the first place!)

Ladies...the latest news is there will be a change in wind direction tomorrow, thus reducing ash coming our way

For those going on hols in the next few weeks, pray for warm, southerly winds into the UK

it's all about the wind direction....the last few days of cool, northerly winds have caused this problem again, but it is temporary (and possibly ongoing...but won't be as bad as last month)

take heart !

I am going to Spain in 3 weeks and hoping for a heatwave in the UK like there was at the same last year

I'm going to France in over 3 weeks and as well as worrying about the ash problem, still have yet to receive the kids passports which have not arrived due to the strike in Dublin. Feeling like this holiday is doomed!

mild panic over...ash cloud moving away as was predicted on Tuesday

aww, ever

it's not the end of the world...but this is your holiday, your well-earned treat

it will be ok x

Don't want to put a dampner on things but I heard tonight that apparently there is another Volcano that is much bigger that the one currently errupting but according to history that one has always errupted around about the same time, could be no flights for anyone if that happens

S'posed to be flying to America on 21st. Am verrrr worried that this will fuck it all up.

This thread is scaring me - we're emigrating to NZ in 9 days time as I've got a job out there waiting for me. All our stuff is in a container somewhere on the high seas and our house is about to be rented out so I'm not quite sure what we'll do if we get stranded in the UK.

Where's the best place to get up to date info on the dreaded ash?

I'd heard about that second volcano that erupts at the same time too!
We are supposed to be off to Cyprus on 30th May, we have booked villa direct with owner, didnt use credit card, just used switch and bank transfer. So we're not covered by credit card.
Have AMEX insurance, supposed to be good but can you imagine the villa owner refunding us for not being able to get there?
DH says we'll drive from UK to Greece and get ferry to Cyprus if need be!

marking place cos I have a few helpful links on pc (am on net book atm) will post them tommorrow for you chiccadee.

in short term ash cloud is staying to west of us, but because of its height it may cause some transatlantic flights to be rerouted around it.

oh god Im travelling soon to Cyprus Im getting very nervous about going!