According to the International Air Transport Association, Airlines worldwide are haemorrhaging about $US200 million a day as a result of Iceland's volcanic ash shrouding Europe.

The prediction came as Emirates Airlines confirmed the disruption has cost the airline $US 50 million, with 80,000 passengers impacted.  “The scale of this crisis is unlike anything I have experienced in my career,” Emirates president Tim Clark said. “The longer it continues, the more complex the recovery process becomes. Like every carrier operating to Europe, Emirates is facing huge losses - $US10 million a day in our case.”

Emirates is not accepting passengers for travel to any European destinations, excluding Moscow, Athens, Larnaca, Malta and Istanbul until April 20 at the earliest.   It is providing accommodation and three meals per day for 6,000 stranded passengers who were in transit when the disruption began, at a cost of more than $US1million per day.

European union officials said that half the scheduled services should operate on Monday (European time).  Thai Airways claims the crisis is costing the airline $3.3 million (100 million Baht) per day, with 6000 of its passengers stranded.  It will increase flights between Thailand and Europe via Rome and Madrid between April 19 and 29 if possible to try and help stranded passengers.

Qantas has announced more cancellations as the crisis lingers. Singapore to Frankfurt and Singapore to London flights have been cancelled today.  For tomorrow, April 20, the Bangkok and Heathrow service has been axed, as has Hong Kong to Heathrow.  Inbound flights have also continued to be cancelled today.

Unfortunately latest reports have come in this morning reporting another eruption of the Icelandic volcano has ocurred casting doubts on an immediate return to even the above emergency flight schedules.   Airlines and airports are reviewing the position on Thursday of this week.  Further reports will be released for travel availability as soon as possible.