Angst Continues for Stranded MIPTV Delegates

CANNES: Several major European airports remain closed as of this morning, with a number of MIPTV delegates still stranded because of volcanic ash.

While Nice airport, among others, has reopened, key hubs such as Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam remain shuttered on the fifth day of the crisis. Rome and Madrid are said to be operating on a limited service. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents the global airline industry, has lashed out at European governments for the chaos caused by airport closures.

“We are far enough into this crisis to express our dissatisfaction on how governments have managed it—with no risk assessment, no consultation, no coordination and no leadership," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. "This crisis is costing airlines at least $200 million a day in lost revenues and the European economy is suffering billions of dollars in lost business. In the face of such dire economic consequences, it is incredible that Europe’s transport ministers have taken five days to organize a teleconference."

He continued: “Governments must place greater urgency and focus on how and when we can safely re-open Europe’s skies. This means decisions based on risk-management, facts and utilizing operational procedures that maintain safety." He added: "Safety is our top priority. Airlines will not fly if it is not safe. I have consulted our member airlines that normally operate in the affected airspace. They report missed opportunities to fly safely. The European system results in blanket closures of airspace. I challenge governments to agree on ways to flexibly re-open airspace. Risk assessments should be able to help us re-open certain corridors, if not entire airspaces."

Those still waiting to get home will be dealing with a backlog of flights once the airports reopen—some delegates have been told they won’t be going anywhere until the end of this week. European aviation control agency Eurocontrol reports that only 30 percent of the normal number of flights—between 8,000 and 9,000—would be able to take off today.