Volcanic turbulence clips the wings of hundreds

The volcanic eruption has left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Capital. Jet Airways said it has provided hotel accommodation for 72 hours to guests caught unawares.

The volcanic eruption has left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Capital. Jet Airways said it has provided hotel accommodation for 72 hours to guests caught unawares. An Air India spokesman said only those passengers who had checked in earlier have been put up in hotels as per ‘force majeure’ conditions (conditions caused by a natural calamity).

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Katerina Tomasheuskaya still does not know when will she be able to fly back to her country Ukraine as most of Europe-bound flights have been cancelled as the cloud of ash caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland persists.

“I was supposed to fly today but the flight has been cancelled. I was to travel to Sharjah first and then board a flight to Ukraine but as entire Europe has been shut my flight too has been cancelled. My relatives are waiting for me and I have some important work to do,” said Katerina who is a travel agent.

“For the first time I am experiencing what my clients experience! I don’t know how long will I be stuck here,” she added. A group of 77 was supposed to travel to Zurich on Saturday but their flight has been cancelled. They have now been told to wait for a day. They are staying at a hotel in Central Delhi.

A number of Delhiites too were hit by the catastrophe. “My flight is scheduled for 28 April I still don’t know if I’ll be able to go. I am going there for a business trip,” said Ira Gupta, who is supposed to travel to UK.

Some tourists staying in luxury hotel in the city have extended their stays while many who were supposed to travel to India have cancelled their bookings due to the flight cancellations.