Thursday, April 29, 2010
Volcanic Eruption
In addition to concern for the well being of the people of Iceland, there are concerns about the economic backlash created by this volcanic eruption. Volcanic ash grounded flights needing to go through Iceland air space. The delays have been so long that airline losses rivaled that of those after the September 11 attacks. According to officials from German airline Lufthansa, they alone at one point is losing €25 million a day. Airlines financial matters are not the only concerns but the well-being of many European countries is dependent upon air travel. Many aquire most of their resources and medical supplies through air transport. Replacement parts, components and medical supplies for manufacturers and hospitals are essential but because of the volcanic activity these supplies are delayed and unfortunately it's not a simple job to transfer the mode of transportation to truck or ship. Fortunately, the EU is poised and ready to take action if need be in the form of compensation and relief if need be. Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said " 'If member states would decide to help with state aid and provided conditions for receiving state aid were not discriminatory, we are ready to think in a similar framework to after Sept. 11,' he said at a conference in Brussels."
Eyjafjallajokull's eruption also has had global impact. Dirk Brockman, a scientist from North Western University, and his research team examined and discovered some interesting facts. He found evidence that the United States and Southeast Asia are also significantly affected by this turn of events. The European hub of Airports is the gateway to the rest of the world. Airports like those in Hong Kong and Singapore were more affected despite geographically being a disconnected from Iceland and Europe by continents.
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