Thousands affected by cancellation of flights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:55 pm
Thousands affected by cancellations of flights from S’pore to Europe
Thousands affected by cancellations of flights from S’pore to Europe
SINGAPORE : Thousands of travellers are affected by cancellations of flights from Singapore to Europe due to ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
So far, 21 flights on British Air, Air France, KLM and Singapore Airlines have been cancelled.
As the huge cloud of volcanic ash spreads over half of Europe on Friday, thousands of flights were cancelled, in the biggest airspace shutdown since World War Two.
In Singapore, passengers spent the night at the airport, unable to fly as flight disruptions to places like France and the United Kingdom spread to other airports worldwide.
To ease traffic at the airport, authorities and airlines are trying to get accommodation for the passengers, but they said there is a shortage of hotel rooms in Singapore right now.
And quite a few travellers are at a loss at what to do.
One said: "It’s an absolute nightmare. Nobody tells you anything. They said they were going to come down and tell us within the hour, and nobody came down to tell us anything until the next day."
"Very tired. We want to go back home," another said.
"Yeah, it’s been very inconvenient, very difficult. While most are frustrated with the situation, others are taking it in their stride," a third added.
Another traveller said: "They’re providing us with food and water and drinks and blankets. Obviously the floor’s hard, (but) we got through the night."
The travellers are tired and unhappy as they are being told repeatedly that it is not known whether the flights will be cancelled yet again. In fact, some passengers got a little aggressive earlier on, as they confronted the counter staff. But this did not improve the situation and all that was left for them to do is to wait.
Meanwhile, the various airlines said they are monitoring the situation closely.
Nicholas Ionides, vice—president of Public Affairs, Singapore Airlines, said: "The situation now is that we don’t know when those airports will be reopened, those airports that are closed.
"So we’re in very close contact with authorities in those areas, and we’re trying to find out, as soon as we can, when those airports will be opened.
"As soon as we are aware of what the situation is going to be, we’re going to be mounting flights wherever we can, and accommodating those customers who have been affected by the cancellations that have been taking place so far.
Channel NewsAsia understands that SIA is paying about S$200 per family per night to help defray part of the additional expenses its passengers will incur.
Changi Airport Group has been working with the airlines and airport partners to minimise inconvenience to affected passengers. It has mobilised resources and activated its contingency plans to assist those affected. For example, areas have been set up at Changi Airport’s transit areas for passengers remaining at the airport to take a rest and their meals.
A number of passengers have been accommodated in hotels at the airport and downtown, while others have decided to return home. For example, a passenger who travelled from Sydney to Singapore for an onward flight to London, may have chosen to return to Sydney.
For passengers remaining in the airport, they have been provided with blankets, sleeping bags, phone cards to call home and free use of the airport’s shower facilities. More than 300 also took up the offer of a free tour of the city.
Airlines have informed passengers whose flights have been cancelled not to proceed to the airport. Passengers are also checking with their airlines on the status of their flights They are advised to check with their airlines on the latest updates before going to the airport.
— CNA/al
Edit: Please Write what you guys feel of it. Could it be the end of the world?
Thousands affected by cancellations of flights from S’pore to Europe
SINGAPORE : Thousands of travellers are affected by cancellations of flights from Singapore to Europe due to ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
So far, 21 flights on British Air, Air France, KLM and Singapore Airlines have been cancelled.
As the huge cloud of volcanic ash spreads over half of Europe on Friday, thousands of flights were cancelled, in the biggest airspace shutdown since World War Two.
In Singapore, passengers spent the night at the airport, unable to fly as flight disruptions to places like France and the United Kingdom spread to other airports worldwide.
To ease traffic at the airport, authorities and airlines are trying to get accommodation for the passengers, but they said there is a shortage of hotel rooms in Singapore right now.
And quite a few travellers are at a loss at what to do.
One said: "It’s an absolute nightmare. Nobody tells you anything. They said they were going to come down and tell us within the hour, and nobody came down to tell us anything until the next day."
"Very tired. We want to go back home," another said.
"Yeah, it’s been very inconvenient, very difficult. While most are frustrated with the situation, others are taking it in their stride," a third added.
Another traveller said: "They’re providing us with food and water and drinks and blankets. Obviously the floor’s hard, (but) we got through the night."
The travellers are tired and unhappy as they are being told repeatedly that it is not known whether the flights will be cancelled yet again. In fact, some passengers got a little aggressive earlier on, as they confronted the counter staff. But this did not improve the situation and all that was left for them to do is to wait.
Meanwhile, the various airlines said they are monitoring the situation closely.
Nicholas Ionides, vice—president of Public Affairs, Singapore Airlines, said: "The situation now is that we don’t know when those airports will be reopened, those airports that are closed.
"So we’re in very close contact with authorities in those areas, and we’re trying to find out, as soon as we can, when those airports will be opened.
"As soon as we are aware of what the situation is going to be, we’re going to be mounting flights wherever we can, and accommodating those customers who have been affected by the cancellations that have been taking place so far.
Channel NewsAsia understands that SIA is paying about S$200 per family per night to help defray part of the additional expenses its passengers will incur.
Changi Airport Group has been working with the airlines and airport partners to minimise inconvenience to affected passengers. It has mobilised resources and activated its contingency plans to assist those affected. For example, areas have been set up at Changi Airport’s transit areas for passengers remaining at the airport to take a rest and their meals.
A number of passengers have been accommodated in hotels at the airport and downtown, while others have decided to return home. For example, a passenger who travelled from Sydney to Singapore for an onward flight to London, may have chosen to return to Sydney.
For passengers remaining in the airport, they have been provided with blankets, sleeping bags, phone cards to call home and free use of the airport’s shower facilities. More than 300 also took up the offer of a free tour of the city.
Airlines have informed passengers whose flights have been cancelled not to proceed to the airport. Passengers are also checking with their airlines on the status of their flights They are advised to check with their airlines on the latest updates before going to the airport.
— CNA/al
Edit: Please Write what you guys feel of it. Could it be the end of the world?
bliss is good 
