DreamvacationsmaybecomearealityonceagainforEuropeantravelers.ScientistsinIcelandreportthevolcaniceruptionsthathavedisruptedairtravelacrossEuropeformorethanamonthappeartobecalmingdownandtheashcloudthathasthreatenedthecontinent'sairspaceisdissipating.Theannouncementiswelcomenewsforwould-betravelersandtheairlineindustry,whichlostanestimated$1.6billioninlastmonth'ssix-dayshutdownofairspace.Butscientistssaythevolcanoisstillrumblingdeepwithintheearthandcoulderuptagain.Plus,scientistswarnofalargerneighboringvolcanothatcouldalsoeruptatanytime.MissingoutontouristsduringpeaktravelseasonisjustwhatFrancesTuke,spokeswomanfortheAssociationofBritishTravelAgents,wouldliketoavoid."Wecannotcontroltheeruptionsofavolcano,butwhatwecandoischangeandadaptourreactiontoit,whichiswhattheU.K.travelindustryisendeavoringtodoinordertomakesurethatflyingissafe,butthatthereisminimumdisruption,"shesaid.Attheheightofthevolcaniceruptionslastmonth,airlinesgroundedtheirplanesforfeartheashcouldinterferewithjetenginesandmakeflyingunsafe.Tukesaysresearchsincetheinitialflightbanishelpingexpertstominimizeno-flyzonesbyidentifyingwhichairspaceisdangerousfortravel,andwhichmaybesafelyused.Shesaysevenrenewedvolcaniceruptionsshouldaffectfarfewertravelers.ThedisruptionsofAprilhavecostthetravelindustrydearly,sayseconomistLindaYueh.ShesaysfearcouldfurtherslowEurope'salreadysluggisheconomicrecovery."Especiallywithabusysummerandautumn,havingthiskindofuncertaintyislikelytoshaveoffafew-billiondollarsoreurosfromtheEuropeaneconomiesatatimewhenreallythesecountriescouldcertainlyusethatadditionalrevenue,"shesaid.Thoughsomemaystillbewaryaboutbookingflights,thepotentialofneweruptionsisnotenoughtokeepAnnetteMansfordoutoftheskies.Sheandherfamilyarejettingoffforalong-awaitedislandgetaway.Mansford'sadviceforothertravelers?"Justgo!Makethemostofit,"shesaid."Makesureyouhavegottravelinsurance,though!"FortravelerstoandfromBritain,thereisanadditionalfactortoworryabout-BritishAirwayscabincrewshavebegunafive-daystrike,resultinginhundredsofcanceledflightsatLondonHeathrow,Europe'sbusiestairport.
