Qatar Airways has cancelled nine Europe-bound flights that were scheduled for today as air traffic was disrupted further across Europe yesterday due to a volcanic eruption that sent a huge cloud of ash across much of the continent. Qatar Airways’ flights to and from London, Manchester, Paris, Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm are affected, as a result. “Flight updates are being provided on a regular basis on our website (www.qatarairways.com) and we are monitoring the situation closely,” the airline said. The flights that were to operate today but were cancelled included those bound for London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris, Frankfurt, Geneva, Zurich, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Two flights that were scheduled for London were QR005/06 (Doha-London Heathrow-Doha) and QR075/076 (Doha-London Gatwick-Doha). Qatar Airways’ flight QR018 from Heathrow airport in London to Doha was also cancelled. The airline said on its website that affected passengers can change their bookings with a departure date within 14 days of the affected flight without any charge. “All applicable re-booking and reissue fees will be waived while the disruption continues.” For cash or credit card refunds standard refund fee would be levied. The airline has warned passengers taking Qatar Airways’ connecting flights from destinations in Asia, Australia and other countries to travel to Northern Europe via Doha, that while the flights from their originating points could be operating on schedule, the connecting flights via Doha could be affected. Transit passengers (travelling mostly from India, other Asian countries and Australia to Northern Europe via Doha) stranded here due to the European air traffic closure have been provided hotel accommodation, an airline official said. There are believed to be hundreds of passengers, including women and children, who were either returning or heading to Europe and got stranded in transit here. Passengers who have confirmed bookings to and from the affected destinations can either contact the local Qatar Airways’ office or call a 24-hour centre (+ 96824162700). http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2010&file=Local_News201004172051.xml

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