Airspace over large part of Europe closed
Chess fans and PB members arrival in Sofia might be hindered
On 14 April 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland resumed erupting after a brief pause, this time in the centre of the glacier, causing meltwater floods to rush down the nearby rivers in two flows on either side of the volcano, and requiring 800 people to be evacuated, thousands of flights to be canceled, and rumors to spread in the chess world.
The eruption Eyjafjallajökull produced a large ash cloud which totally blocked airspace. Travel chaos started across the globe as there were significant flight cancellations in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Ireland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, with a number of major European airports being closed.
That situation leaves half of Europe and most of the major airports blocked. Officials say that chances are the ash cloud will not reach Sofia or hinder the airplanes to the city. However, chess fans and participants in the 2nd quarter Presidential board meeting coming from these regions might be hindered to take off as the air space there is closed.
Experts cannot reach an agreement when the ash cloud will clear out. Optimistic prognosis puts deadline of 24 hours, while there are airplane specialists claiming the effects can continue up to 6 months. Flights are being affected all over the world, and even President Obama coming for the funeral of Lech Kaczynski is endangered.
The World Chess Championship itself is not endangered, as Anand has already landed in Sofia. The airspace of Bulgaria is not expected to be closed, but the street in from of the playing hall (photo here) will be closed at the time of the opening ceremony, which coincides with a rush hour in Sofia.
http://reports.chessdom.com/news-2010/airspace-europe-volcano
It’s just amazing how many people are being affected as a result of the volcano in Iceland that erupted. Flights have been canceled and there are health risks involved. I hope the situation improves soon.
Send all compaints about the volcano to Dr. Karlsson. This eruption is all his “fault”.
Icelandic Volcano is Fischer’s way speaking from the Grave in regards to the World Championship match !
Hey FischerFan!
You do have a sense of humour!!
Mathur
“Flights have been canceled …”
That’s right.
“… and there are health risks involved.”
New to me. That volcano ash is very high up in the atmosphere. Those waiting in Frankfurt (for example) might be wondering, what the problem is. There’s nothing to see or feel at all …
RIP Polish President Lech Kaczyński and First Lady Maria Kaczyńska and 94 other victims of plane crush.
It’s Danailov job! :)))
Plane crush?
Irina had nothing to do with it.