Updated: More flights cancelled due to volcanic ash
Air Malta said today it has been forced to cancel today’s flights to Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and Dusseldorf due to the airport closure because of a volcanic ash cloud currently extending from from Iceland, to the UK, Scandinavia and moving down to central Europe.
Air Malta said in a statement that due to this cloud, parts of European airspace were shut down affecting airlines that operated through these parts.
Several airspace restrictions were announced this morning, forcing the airline to cancel flights.
Subject to the lifting of these restrictions, Air Malta would be operating a number of extra flights over and above its schedule, the airline said.
Yesterday’s Air Malta’s morning flights to Heathrow and Gatwick operated normally. However the airline had to cancel 26 flights to and from Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, Brussels, Frankfurt and Moscow Sheremetyevo in the afternoon.
It operated 25 flights; from Malta to Athens, Budapest, Reggio-Rome, Milan, Catania – Munich – Catania, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Tripoli and Rome – Reggio Calabria. Air Malta’s flight to Palermo this evening is expected to operate normally.
Air Malta said it was closely monitoring the situation and would advise its passengers of any changes in its flight operations as a result of these airspace restrictions on www.airmalta.com.
It offered passengers free re-booking on any Air Malta operated scheduled flight or full refund of ticket.
For re-booking or re-routing, one can call 356 2166 2211. The call centre will remain open until midnight and will open again for 5 a.m.
Due to this situation, clients due to travel from Malta International Airport are advised to contact flight enquiries, tel: 5004 3333 for further information and to confirm flight arrival/departure times.
A number of flights by other airlines were also cancelled.
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d.briffa
Apr 16th 2010, 17:19
Since i'm stranded and have nothing to do, i have come across this... http://news.ie.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=153037927
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled as a result of the volcanic ash cloud currently passing over Britain must be given a choice between rerouting to their final destination or a full refund under European regulations.
If consumers choose to re-route instead of applying for a refund, airlines have to offer an alternative flight to the final destination at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of the intending passenger’s choice subject to the availability of seats.
The airlines must also offer meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation where a stay of one or more nights is necessary. If an airline offers a flight to an alternative airport they must bear the cost of transferring you from that alternative airport to the one in your reservation or to another close-by destination agreed with you.
I suggest that one go through the article as it gives alot of insight of what should be done if the airline doesnt offer compensation.
C Cassar
Apr 16th 2010, 22:55
Airlines only need to take any responsibility when the deley/cancellation is due to them. This situation is classed as an act of God, so the ailines will not be obliged to give anyone a single cent to cover additional expenses. It's hard luck, just get on with it and pay some euros to cover your own costs.
Joseph Pace
Apr 16th 2010, 14:31
I am stuck in Finland. Had to get back to Malta yesterday. Will not be able to do so before Monday evening. Airports are closed till tomorrow afternoon in here!
Joseph pace
Apr 16th 2010, 16:15
further info....sunday airspace in Finland is closed till 3pm....this thing will last ages!
Moira Heath
Apr 16th 2010, 14:04
@Daniel
I share your frustration. I'm stuck in London too. Nothing to do but wait it out, or get yourself a good pair of hiking shoes and head for the ferries.
DANIEL BRIFFA
Apr 16th 2010, 12:50
i am stranded in London due to all this and after nearly 5 hrs trying to contact air Malta to see what's going on, they told me they will put me on another flight but after 3-4 days as everything is fully booked. they also told me that unlike if the flight was delayed, they would not cover th expenses incurred. After contacting middle sea insurance to check regarding claiming, they told me that the insurance does not cover this either. What frustrates me is that if i was in Malta and the flight got cancelled, its not such of a big deal because i could stay home, but once abroad, the airline company should help you out in these situations and if its not in their control, at least one should be able to claim it on insurance.
i dont think this is right. any comments????
Charles Sammut
Apr 16th 2010, 13:06
I understand your frustration. Unfortunately, you can only pray as this is what insurance companies term an "Act of God".
People have tried to sue God before, but since nobody knows His address, it didn't work out.
Christian Sciberras
Apr 17th 2010, 10:53
Yea, a lawyer once tried to sue God over mass genocide charges, don't think it was productive at all.