EU transport ministers will be holding emergency talks today in a bid to find a solution on easing the air travel crisis which has been caused by a volcanic ash cloud across Europe’s skies from Iceland. Meteorologists have said that the ash cloud will reach the east coast of the United States of America around 6pm this evening.
So far it is estimated that more than 6.8 million passengers have been affected, with a cost to airlines of approximately $200m (€149m) a day.
The European governments’ response has been heavily criticised by both airlines and airports as well as The International Air Transport Association.
The Uk Government have deployed two Royal Navy ships, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean, to help bring home the 150,000 Britons who are stranded overseas. The decision was made following a meeting this morning of the emergency planning committee ‘Cobra.’