18,000 Japanese tourists affected by airport closures in Europe

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TOKYO, April 19 Kyodo -
About 18,000 Japanese tourists have been affected by flight cancellations and
airport closures in Europe due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, an industry
group said Monday.
About 12,000 travelers from Japan are believed to be stranded or have been
forced to change their schedules, eight Japanese travel agencies said in
response to inquiries from the Japan Association of Travel Agents.
There is growing concern that prolonged disruption could affect business
activities, amid the cancellation and postponement of business trips by
Japanese companies.
By Monday, JTB Corp., Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Hankyu Travel International Co.
and Nippon Travel Agency Co. had canceled tours for 6,200 travelers and more
cancellations could occur if flight services remain disrupted.
JTB had canceled tours for around 1,900 travelers from Friday through Monday.
Kinki Nippon Tourist called off tours for around 1,000 people, Hankyu Travel
for about 2,700 tourists and Nippon Travel for around 600 people, they said.
''We may forgo more tours for about 1,800 tourists in the next two days'' if
flight cancellations continue, a JTB official said.
According to news reports, an official of the International Air Transport
Association said Monday that estimated airline revenue losses have reached $250
million per day, larger than the impact on airlines as a result of the Sept.
11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
Meanwhile, European Union transport ministers plan to hold a teleconference
Monday to restore the air transportation network at an early date, EU officials
said.
The ministers are set to explore the timing of a resumption of flights in
Europe based on information from Eurocontrol, the European Organization for the
Safety of Air Navigation, and airlines that are conducting test flights.
The EU countries plan to arrange alternative transport including trains,
shipping and long-distance buses so that stranded passengers can reach their
destinations as quickly as possible.
Amid calls to resume all flights soon, Eurocontrol is gradually easing or
lifting flight restrictions depending on conditions such as the movement of ash
and visibility.
Flights restrictions have been removed in Spain, Portugal, southern Italy,
Greece, Bulgaria, the southern Balkans and Turkey.
==Kyodo
2010-04-19 23:13:14