PORTUGAL: Icelandic volcano Ash closes airspace across Portugal a day ahead of papal visit

Record ID: 708340

  • Title: PORTUGAL: Icelandic volcano Ash closes airspace across Portugal a day ahead of papal visit
  • Date: 11th May 2010
  • Summary: EXTERIOR OF BUILDING IN CENTRE OF LISBON WITH GIANT BANNER SHOWING PICTURE OF POPE BENEDICT BUSES WITH VATICAN FLAGS POLICE VATICAN FLAGS ON BUS GIANT BANNER SHOWING BENEDICT BANNERS READING: "IT WAS THE FATHER WHO TAUGHT ME TO CELEBRATE" HANGING FROM STREET LIGHTS TRAFFIC ON MARQUES DE POMBAL SQUARE
  • Embargoed: 26th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Portugal
  • Country: Portugal
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA4LSNSANJF8TZHJ54WRCN0XUJG
  • Story Text: Icelandic volcano ash forced Lisbon airport to close overnight on Sunday (May 9), causing disruptions for thousands of passengers travelling to and from Portugal.
    Airport officials said the airport at the Portuguese capital reopened at 0900 local time but most outgoing flights remained either cancelled or severely delayed.
    Travel has been worst affected in Portugal and Spain after Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull ash made its way to southern Europe on Friday (May 7).
    Air passengers stuck at the airport were awaiting for information as airlines struggled to rebooked them on alternative flights.
    U.S. tourist Craig was taking it his stride after he lost his connection to Boston following a cancellation to his flight to from Lisbon to London.
    "They were pretty helpful, plus I have a secondary reservation at the Marriot around the corner, so that's helpful too. So try to play all the bases. Plan your bases. Plan your situation as well as you can. "
    The delays and cancellations come a day ahead of the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI for a 4-day visit to the country coinciding with the pilgrimage of hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful to Fatima.
    "We're from Paderborn and our group was supposed to fly to Cologne at 1130am, but they cancelled the flight and our tour guide is currently checking with the airline when we can fly or whether we will have to spend tonight at a hotel, we're not sure. We're just waiting now and biding time," German tourist, Christa Strake, said.
    Lisbon has been adorned with giant banners welcoming Benedict and Vatican officials said there was no risk of disruptions to the Pontiff's arrival.
    According to local media Portuguese airline tap cancelled around 65 flights over the weekend and around 13,000 travellers have been left stranded.
    Problems are also still reported in Madeira and Azores where the airports remain closed.
    Airports and airlines urge passengers to check the latest information before travelling to their airport
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