As travellers scramble to rearrange flights because of a volcanic ash cloud shrouding much of Europe, a Dunedin-based volcanologist is offering some free travel advice - don't risk it.
James White, of the University of Otago geology department, said the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland had caused major disruption to air traffic in Europe, and with good reason.
Volcanic ash had the potential to shut down or ruin a jet's engine, and to play havoc with navigational systems.
"I wouldn't fly into that part of that world right now."
The eruption caused ash particles to drift thousands of kilometres through the air, posing problems for navigational equipment, which could not distinguish a cloud of ash from a normal cloud.
The eruption and resulting ash plume caused the cancellation of thousands of flights in Europe, closing airports including Heathrow, and other major European airports as it blanketed major flight routes above the Atlantic Ocean.
Air New Zealand and other airlines have cancelled flights from New Zealand in to and out of Europe, and no accommodation is available at transit points such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Air NZ yesterday cancelled two flights from London, while a flight from Hong Kong to London was diverted to Frankfurt, Germany, with passengers accommodated in hotels.
The airline warned people expecting to travel to the United Kingdom not to board flights to Los Angeles and Hong Kong, where about 600 Air NZ passengers were already stranded, including the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, who was travelling to Poland for the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski.
Dr White, who visited Iceland last year, said the last major eruption of Eyjafjallajokull occurred in 1821 and lasted for more than a year. However, it was too early to predict how long the present eruption would last, he said.
Thousands of New Zealand travellers were affected by the cancellation of flights, leaving airlines and travel agents scrambling to accommodate them.
Air New Zealand was advising passengers not to start travel until airspace over the United Kingdom and Europe was opened.
"Should passengers still decide to travel and there are disruptions to their plans, costs incurred will be at their expense," the airline said in a statement.
Travellers should contact their airline or travel agent.
House of Travel Dunedin team leader Bruce Hayman said the company was dealing with dozens of affected clients in both Dunedin and Europe.
One client had already decided to "take a chance" and head to Los Angeles in the hope of being able to reach Europe, while others had suspended travel.
Harvey World Travel manager Don Crum said the incident served as a reminder to travellers about the importance of travel insurance.
"It is essential."
Airlines were continually updating travel agents on the situation, and, "fingers crossed", the worst could be over in two days, he said.
Animation Research Ltd head of production Karen Shaw said some staff were due to travel to Europe in the next week to cover important sporting events, and the cancellations were causing major headaches.
Travellers were advised to contact their insurance company, but those about to book a trip to Europe may discover they are not covered against future delays.
Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive Chris Ryan said travellers who took out insurance before the eruption would be protected, but those about to book flights may not be so fortunate.
People who were not insured were "badly exposed".
Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief executive Craig Morrison said travellers to Europe should check their travel insurance cover so they were fully aware of their level of coverage for flight cancellations and delays.
The company's policies provided cover for travel interruptions as a result of an unexpected event, he said.
New Zealand Post said yesterday items mailed to and from Europe might be delayed.
• Have your travel plans been disrupted?
- Tell us at odt.editorial@odt.co.nz
