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Passengers stranded at airports around Europe due to volcanic ash - Source: Reuters -
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Hopes that planes will resume flying in and out of London on Tuesday night may be dashed.
Britain's air traffic control is warning a new volcanic ash cloud from Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland is heading towards the UK and the situation is worsening in some areas.
Earlier on Tuesday morning British Airways announced it would aim to resume some flights from London's airports on Tuesday evening.
Now it says it's "reviewing" its schedule as the volcano eruption has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK,"
Passengers trying to get to Europe had hoped they might be heading off within the next 24 hours.
Aviation authorities in England had earlier said the volcano, which erupted last Thursday, was no longer emitting ash to altitudes that would affect the United Kingdom although and they hoped to reopen the airspace at about 6pm Tuesday night (NZ time).
Authorities were looking at opening air space on a graduated scale with a no-fly zone over the volcano, a caution zone where engines will be monitored, and an open sky zone.
Air New Zealand says it is expecting further notification of restrictions later on Tuesday but in the meantime is still advising passengers to check with the airline and their travel agents before leaving the country.
More than 2000 passengers are stranded in New Zealand and it is believed the backlog could take two weeks to clear.
Airlines, including Air New Zealand, are looking at putting on extra flights but it is not known how London's airports, Heathrow, and Gatwick, could handle the extra demand.
The airline is still strongly advising passengers heading to Europe not to plan their trip until they know they can get to where they want to go.
Hotels have been booked out in Hong Kong and Los Angeles and the airline says passengers heading off against its advice will have trouble finding accommodation.
If they are stranded overseas part way through their journey, they will have to pay their own way.
Passengers can defer the travel without penalty or apply for a full refund if they decide not to travel, the airline says.
The air space restriction has cost airlines hundreds of millions of dollars and New Zealand exporters are also feeling the financial impact.
Export New Zealand executive director Catherine Beard says exporters sending perishable products overseas such as seafood, flowers, or even high value time-sensitive exports such as high tech products, are most at risk.
One of the exporters to benefit from the restrictions is Marlborough's NZ King Salmon which has put on extra staff to cope with the increased demand for fish from Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Osaka and Tokyo.
Chief executive Grant Rosewarne says the company has doubled its harvest with an extra 10,000 fish as customers are unable to get supplies from their traditional markets in the northern hemisphere.
Eastern and Global Flower Exporters managing director Greg Keymer told Radio New Zealand demand for flowers is also skyrocketing, however other exporters are feeling the impact, including meat exporters as up to 10 tonnes of New Zealand lamb is stranded in transit.
