- Join the France 24 community here
- Log in
Breaking News
Share :
Subscribe :
Subscribe :
Share :
Subscribe :
Subscribe :
Latest update: 21/04/2010
- aviation - Europe - Natural disaster - volcano
Images and stories from the travel chaos sparked by the ash cloud
Volcanic ash from Iceland has forced the cancellation of tens of thousands of flights in northern Europe. FRANCE 24 has put together a visual account of Iceland's volcano explosion and the ensuing aviation chaos it has caused.
Volcanic ash from Iceland has lead to unprecedented aviation chaos across Europe and the world.
While flight restrictions eased on Wednesday following the opening of several airports, traffic woes continue with airlines struggling to cope with a huge backlog of stranded passengers.
Stoical students and a Norwegian nightmare
It took them 53 hours to get home from Norway – and they were the lucky ones. The high school students from Isere in eastern France were stuck in Scandinavia, where they had been on a student exchange.
They contacted FRANCE24.com late Tuesday to talk about their experience.
“Travelling with 15 teenagers is a pretty epic experience at the best of times,” their teacher, Clément Breysse, said. “Including the two teachers, we had to find 17 places on coaches, ferries and trains. Luckily for us our Norwegian friends were very much on the ball and helped get the tickets sorted out. On our journey we met a great many people who were completely stuck.”
In the crowed station in central Copenhagen, the students came face-to-face with the grim reality of the situation.
“Even if they were tired, they remained stoical,” Breysse added. “This situation has matured them and brought them closer together as a group. We will see that they write up their experience when they get home and take full advantage of what they have lived through these last few days.”
Hotel bills, cancelled holidays and nights in the airport
Stuck in New York, holidaymakers Olivier and Cathy told FRANCE 24 in an online comment on Sunday that Air France had only paid for a single night at a hotel and that they were now footing the hotel bills. “Who will reimburse these unforeseen expenses?”
Vivi and her family told FRANCE 24 in an online comment, "We're stranded in Seoul and there are no flights before April 23. But our plight is not as bad as others who've been told they will be delayed for the next 15 days."
A lucky few ones received early warnings. “My travel agency called me just as I was taking a taxi to the airport,” said FRANCE 24 journalist Jean-Baptiste Marot, who was due to leave for Ethiopia on Thursday evening.
Boré, who was due to head back to Paris on Thursday, says he spent the past two nights at the Singapore airport but that airport authorities were providing food, sleeping bags, pillows and that he was given a tourist visa for a few hours.
Have your travel plans been disrupted by the the volcanic ash cloud? Are you stuck at the airport? Tell FRANCE 24 about your ordeal by posting your story below in the comment section.
Related Content
‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government
Browse all editions
FRANCE 24 PARTNERS
Comments (6)
Stuck In Paris
I was meant to fly home Sunday...but I will be here in Paris intil at least Thursday. I was able to rent an apartment from the same company which organized my trip in the first place...so that was quite easy. There isn't a person at home in Canada that feels bad about my predicament...being stuck in Paris does seem like a very nice bonus...even I can't believe it.
I was very happy to find you channel Monday...I've been getting all my news from France24 since!
Thank you!
Sainte-Tulle students stranded in Poulsbo
11 students, their teacher, and principal from the College Pierre Girardot in Sainte-Tulle, France, remain with their sister school host families in Poulsbo, Washington, near Seattle. They had just finished an exciting 10 day adventure, when their Air France flight was canceled. See www.kitsapsun.com
for interesting details.
Stranded in Paris
I was booked on a flight from Charles de Gaulle to go home to Los Angeles on April 16 and have been stranded in Paris since. The airline now has me booked on a flight out of Charles de Gaulle on April 24th. I love the city and everyone has been very nice and helpful. I have run out of a supplement I take called Red Yeast Rice. I went to a pharmacie but they did not know what I was asking about. Does anyone know where I could find this supplement in Paris? Thanks.
straned in Paris
My daughter is one of 14 high school students from Neenah, Wisconsin (U.S.) stranded in Paris with their teacher. They were to fly home today after 2 weeks in France. A student tour group, ACIS, is assisting them. Although we miss them, and wish we were there with them, what better city is there to be stranded in then Paris? We trust that the French will accomodate them and ensure their safety before allowing any flights. Merci beaucoup!
Paula Fahrenkrug
not a word on nice airport
Thanks to you france24,i spend most of the year in france for work , im australian,and watch your news every day.
Your news has always been the best news covrage on tv in english.
But as im in Nice i can not belive that your news tonight about the closer of airports in europe you have not spoke of nice airport , but a long part of your news tonight was on rome airport, so i may as well watch italian tv
regards
craig
Eurostar
Finally got thru on Eurostar UK number and have a seat booked for Tuesday at the earliest from here Paris. I am lucky enough to be in a hotel thanks to my employer - shame for the poor people sleeping at the aport. You cannot book online but just have to wait for a long time on the phone line but they do answer eventually. They say on the news dont go to the Eurostar stations without a ticket so that is a difficult oneif u cannot do anything online!
Post new comment