Updated 04/19/2010 01:31 PM
European Officials Work To End Flight Deadlock
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European transport officials have now created three zones aimed at breaking up the flight deadlock that's plagued travelers for days.
All flights will be allowed in one area, while they will be completely off-limits in another, following last week's volcanic disruption.
A third "caution zone," where the threat of ash is considered less dangerous, will allow some flights.
The aviation industry is demanding restitution from the European Union and criticizing governments for not better evaluating volcanic ash in the air.
The International Air Transport Association is complaining that there is a lack of leadership, saying greater urgency needs to be placed on how to safely reopen Europe's skies.
France's environment minister says a meeting is planned for tomorrow with French airlines to discuss possible aid.
Meanwhile, the chief of British Airways says test flights by his and other airlines prove the restrictions are unnecessary.
Since Thursday, 63,000 flights have been canceled, costing the airline industry about $200 million a day.
Some air travel has gotten back to normal with several European airports reopening as the cloud of volcanic ash finally begins to clear. Even if all goes well, it will take days if not weeks to deal with the backlog of passengers stranded at airports around the world.
Restrictions on Scottish airspace will be lifted tomorrow, but restrictions in the United Kingdom will remain in place.
The British Royal Navy is being dispatched to retrieve some stranded passengers.
In the city, travelers who are stranded are spending some money, but it will not make up for millions that would have been spent by visitors who haven't been able to get here.
Discounts at area hotels had been offered by the city. But the 15 percent off rate expired today.
"We're being told that we've been booked in this hotel for another night and there might be some flights tomorrow," said one traveler. "So that's the latest. Other than that, we have to stay put."
"You can't blame anyone. It's nobody's fault," said another. "You just have to get on with it."
"New York is very nice, but not for 10 days. You want to go for five days and if you stay longer here, we've seen what we want to see," said a third. "Now we just want to go home."
There are some worries that the travel problems could affect the Tribeca Film Festival, which kicks off later this week.