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Smoke billows from a volcano in Eyjafjallajokull April 16, 2010 - Source: Reuters -
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Travel frustrations continue for New Zealanders trying to get to Europe as an ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland continues to halt flights.
Passengers are being forced to consider other options but changing plans at the last minute can have some costly repercussions.
Travellers are facing slow moving queues and overloaded helplines as they try to reschedule. They face the logistical nightmare of rebooking entire trips with stopover cities full to the brim.
"The risks are that passengers might not find accommodation, they'll struggle to find restaurants because the places are so congested now," says Air New Zealand spokesperson Ed Sims.
And insurance policies won't always cover the extra costs. Travellers who go ahead with flights booked to Europe may no longer be covered by travel insurance if they get stopped halfway in places such as Los Angeles or Hong Kong.
"There may be a risk for a customer if they get on a flight knowing full well they can only go half way," says Brent Thomas from House of Travel.
Insurance cover may depend on whether the delay really was unforeseen.
Travellers are being advised to return to their starting location and defer their travel plans until such time as airlines are notified that the airspace has reopened.
Businesses hit in the pocket
It's not just travellers who have been affected as businesses start counting the costs of the delays.
The air travel crisis is a concern for companies sending perishable goods to Europe, especially items such as flowers and seafood.
"We will be expecting a large number of claims...not only for people travelling but for people who are unable to get some of their produce overseas...exports and importers will be affected by this...so it's actually a very serious event," says Chris Ryan from the Insurance Council of New Zealand.
Export New Zealand says it is too soon to say how much it will cost but it is monitoring the situation closely.
Supermarkets told ONE News they have not been affected yet because most food from Europe is shipped over here.
Air New Zealand says the situation is worsening for passengers heading to Europe. It says the volcano is erupting continuously and ash is drifting east to southeast over Europe.
Group general manager international airline Ed Sims says all airspace over the United Kingdom is closed and will stay closed until 6am NZ time at the earliest.
