After 120 years of no activity, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano (pronounced "Aya-fyatla-jo-kutl"), located in southwestern Iceland, began erupting on March 20, 2010. On April 14, the volcano began a cycle of explosive eruptions that hurled large amounts of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. Because volcanic ash is extremely dangerous to aviation , European aviation authorities temporarily ordered the suspension of all air traffic over most of the continent, which resulted in airport closures and significant travel disruptions.
Transatlantic flight operations have returned to a normal schedule to and from all European markets. However, individual flight status may continue to change based on meteorological conditions and guidance from Eurocontrol , the European air traffic agency. According to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) , the challenge for travelers now is trying to rebook cancelled flights. Travelers should check their flight status for information about flight plans, and arrive at the airport early enough to ensure timely movement through check-in and security lines.
U.S. Citizens Stranded Abroad
Consular officers at the U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Europe are providing what assistance they can, including emergency powers of attorney for travelers who need to conduct legal transactions but will not be there in person, assistance in filling prescriptions, and providing the latest advice for their affected airport.
U.S. citizens are urged to keep in touch with their loved ones as to their whereabouts and well-being. In the event that an American citizen has run out of money and is unable to get access to additional funds, the DOS can help by offering financial assistance .
Additional information for U.S. citizens stranded abroad is available from the DOS directly.
Foreign Nationals Stranded in the U.S.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) understand that because of European airport closures, certain foreign nationals may exceed their authorized stay in the U.S. If you have exceeded or are about to exceed your authorized stay in the U.S. you may be permitted up to 30 days to depart.
Affected travelers have the following options available for extending their stay in the United States:
- Individuals traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may contact USCIS or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for assistance.
- Individuals traveling under a U.S. visa should contact the nearest USCIS office for assistance.
Additional information for foreign nationals stranded in the U.S. is available from USCIS.
Additional Resources:
- The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Statement on the Status of European Airspace
- DOS Updates on Facebook
- DOS Updates on Twitter
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Instrument Sees Disruptive Iceland Volcanic Cloud
- NASA Satellite Eyes Iceland Volcano Cauldron
- NASA Sensors Providing Rapid Estimates of Iceland Volcano Emissions
- The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program
- USGS: Reducing the Threat to Aviation from Airborne Volcanic Ash
- Aviation: Status of Flights
- International Travel
- International Travel: Crisis Preparedness
- International Travel: Health Tips
- International Travel: Medical Assistance
- International Travel: Travel Insurance
- DOS: Bureau of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS)
- DOS: Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings
- DOS: Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS)