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Flights bound for Europe from major South African airports were cancelled again yesterday – the third day of disruption for passengers owing to a giant cloud of volcanic ash spewing from Iceland. South African Airways spokesman Azure Janneker said the airline cancelled flights yesterday between South Africa and London, Frankfurt and Munich owing to unsafe flying conditions.
The flight shutdown dealt a blow to the local book publishing industry, which was due to be showcased at this week’s London Book Fair.
South Africa Market Focus was aimed at strengthening cultural and publishing relations. Publishers and authors, including the Sunday Times’s Fred Khumalo, were unable to fly to the fair, which opens tomorrow and ends on Wednesday.
The shutdown saw frustrated holidaymakers and business travellers stranded at airports.
Lisa Childs, her husband, John, and two children were due to fly to London last night. Yesterday they were told the knock-on effect of delayed flights could result in a departure delay of up to two weeks.
SAA said there was no indication when conditions would be safe for air travel to Europe, where airports have been closed since Thursday (see page 15).
Airports Company South Africa spokesman Deidre Hendricks said that, apart from SAA, British Airways, Virgin and KLM flights operating to and from Cape Town had been affected.
British Airways spokesman Stephen Forbes said all British Airways flights to and from London airports were cancelled yesterday.
