Litening to the Radio here in Ireland and they are saying that this flight/volcano thing is going to last fot the summer
It is putting alot of people off booking holidays abroad and people are now planning holidays at home or in the UK.

I think alot of bussines in Lanza are waiting for the so called Summer Rush of people into Lanza to help them.
But by the looks of things, it is going to be very tough and many wont survive

When you consider the life-cycles of a volcano and the time-lines involved, the volcanic ash clouds could hang around for years

Does anyone know if there are ferries that go directly from the UK and Ireland to Arrecife?

Thats another black mark aganist Lanza.
I had friends stuck in Costa Del Sol when the last flights got cancelled, at least they could travel back up by car and then ferry from France.

Dont think it would be worth the hassle of getting a ferry to Main Land Spain and then starting the long road journey.
Your kinda stuck on Lanza

Why use a ferry when you have lots of fights to mainland spain?
Iberia, Spanair, Air Europa, Easyjet etc, then go from there.

My 2 days were upset due to the fact I could get out yesterday, but the airline couldn´t guarantee a thu return. Oh well.

Hi Focker,

I'm interested; do you have a constructive point with this thread or are you just trying to spread gloom and doom? As has been pointed out, getting to the European mainland from the Canaries never was an issue and is unlikely to be so considering where Iceland is. Getting from mainland Europe to islands called the British Isles was, so the threat from any resurgance of ash clouds is tourism in UK/Ireland not in the Canary islands. Relatively few people these days travel from UK/Ireland to Europe on holiday other than by air.

It will/would effect all of the Canarie Islands, Cyprus etc.

Having been out on a limb so to speak in Lanzarote for 10 days - although a lovely place I just wanted to get home and it was impossible. So had to stay enjoy the sun, eating out and watching Barca loose to Inter Milan - now that never went down too well with locals.

Good point Grantie, and I was aware of many people in PB who couldn't get home, because UK airports were closed through over cautious restrictions. But looking to the future, are you saying next year you might go on holiday to mainland Spain or Greece because you could always eventually get back in a bus or ship, but you wouldn't take the risk of going to Cyprus or the Canaries? That's the test of whether it would affect trade here.

I'd much rather be stuck in PB, eating in Sandy's for an extra week or indeed weeks , waiting for return flight rather than be stuck at home airport waiting for flight out.
Give me a blue sky and sun any day.
Roll on July!

Really? The Irish market is "only" the 3rd biggest. It the british and German markets that are really crucial.

Also do you mean will finish businesses catering for Irish tourists?! Lanza could certainly do with losing an Irish bar or too!

Also PB seemed fairly busy last week. Not booming but then it was April!

Sorry but I can't understand these people that are complaining about having to stay a couple of extra days, let us all be honest here, these people will be trying to claim from their insurance.
Yes we are all suffering with the thought of either being able to get on holiday without getting home or even worse not getting your holiday at all.
This will affect many businesses, and I hope they are strong enough to cope with the effects. Many of us are waiting in the wings to get on holiday and spend our money to help Lanza's economy.

Lets hope this all blows over (sorry for the pun) and we all can enjoy our holidays as we have planned.

Nick & Jo
36 days and counting (we hope)

I´m going to wait until the dust settles (sorry), then re-book.

Well, all I can say it is well for people that can afford to be stuck in Lanza.
Yeah. Lanza is a great spot but I dont want to be stuck there and I know alot of other people in the same boat.
I have cancelled my weekend in Lanza as I cant be guaranteed to get back on Monday.
Im sure there is other people like me.

We hopefully fly on the 3rd of June, just get me out there, will worry about the return journey after lots of R & R...

To answer your question Walker - I am undecided about booking for the summer on an island (so to speak)

When it actually happens to you, you change your view - How many times as you are ending your holiday do you say " Oh I wish i could stay longer/for a few more days ?

I didnt like the idea that I was not in control of the situation, unable to contact airline for 3 days or the foreign office etc. Not having access to the internet so having to go to hotels and queue to use a computer.

Having 2 grown up children at home who you trust to be home alone for a week not 17 days. My Husband is self employed and has his own business, wages and bills needed to be paid.

So it is not all fun and games, as some people would expect, financially we were lucky that had our debit cards with us. I was like Widow Twanky washing clothes in a sink for 10 days. Had to leave our apartment and stay at a aparthotel. And our 12 year old missed 10 days of school that has been noted as an unauthorized absence.!!!!

I suppose by the same logic, you wouldn't holiday in mainland Greece or Egypt, or anywhere further afield, so perhaps you are limited to Italy Spain and France?