BBC - Spain closes 15 airports due to ash

[sillydoll]

Spain is to close 15 airports as a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano drifts south over Western Europe. National airport management agency Aena said nine airports were already closed and six more would shut from 1200 local time (1000 GMT).
Aena said the airports affected were Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Zaragoza, Pamplona, La Rioja, Santiago, A Coruna, Vigo, Asturias, Santander, Leon, Valladolid, Burgos and Salamanca.
The restrictions would be in place until at least 1800, Aena said
Most flights between Europe and North America are being diverted because of the ash cloud's latest drifting, officials at Eurocontrol said.
Flights are being rerouted north and south of the 1,200 mile (2,000km) cloud.
On average, 600 airliners make the Atlantic crossing every day, correspondents say.
Eurocontrol, the agency that co-ordinates aviation safety in Europe, said airports were also expected to close in northern Portugal and parts of southern France.

 

[MikeB]

You can get the info direct from the horse's mouth here
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagename=Home

If you look at the Santiago airport site, it does not mention the problem, so use the main AENA site linked above. There are also two telephone numbers given which may be useful to note if not near a computer

They are actually written as 902 404 704 and (+34) 91 321 10 00, so I would think the second number which gives the international code may have a choice of languages if your Spanish is not too strong. Both will need the international code if rung either from outside Spain, or from inside Spain with a non-Spanish mobile. You do not need the code if ringing from Spanish phones.

The situation is very fluid - parts of Scotland, Ireland & the extreme SW of England were closed earlier this week for a few hours, and then all was fine.

Be aware of the possibility of a problem, but there is no point worrying about it - you can't stop the volcano, you can't make the wind change direction - it's just a bridge to cross if it comes to it, granted possibly a large one, but please don't let worries about something you cannot control weigh upon your camino and ruin your enjoyment of this unique experience.

Buen camino a todos
Mike

 

[ivar]

Local radio in Santiago said the Santiago airport may open again tonight around 20.00... let's hope.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[sillydoll]

Air France is currently experiencing severe disruption due to volcanic ash drifting across Europe from Iceland. Air France is doing all it can to resume its scheduled flights and to bring our passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible.
A re-booking policy is in place so passengers are advised to contact Air France directly on 0861 340 340 / +27 11 523 8001 for further information.
Due to the exceptional circumstances, waiting times might be longer than usual.
Heard that Biarritz is closed as well.