Flight cancellations hurt airport businesses

Losses are mounting for small businesses at the Calgary International Airport as a huge ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano forced the cancellation of flights to and from Europe again Monday.

The volcano erupted on April 14, spewing a dense cloud of ash which is abrasive and can damage jet engines.

Airports all over northern Europe have grounded flights since last week and North American airlines have cancelled transatlantic service as well.

With no one lining up to fly to London or Frankfurt from Calgary, entrepreneurs who operate in and around the airport are losing money.

"It's really quiet than before. Used to I have almost 700 or 800 in sales since 12 or one o'clock. Today I have just $18," said Jaspreet Garcha, who operates a shop inside the airport.

Many airportretail outletsreported their sales have been cut in half by the European flight cancellations.

Taxi driver Khalid Naeem said he now waits at least three hours between passengers at the airport almost twice as long as usual.

"We are very slow over here actually. Normally we can get five, six fares. So it's my third fare. After that I think I have no time to come back for another one," he said, estimating that50 per cent of his income has dried up.

Impromptu extended vacation

But for other businesses, the cancelled flights have been a benefit.

The Delta Calgary Airport hotelhas been booking 50 to 60 rooms each night for delayed passengers, mostly at the airlines' expense.

"Normally we wouldn't be seeing a lot of European clientele at this time, but because of the flight situation we are seeing a lot more," said general manager David Bird.

A one-week vacation to Banff has become an extended visit for Mark Cope and his family from the United Kingdom.

"We're trying to make the most of it. Obviously we've missed a few things at home," he said, adding that his children were supposed to be back in school today.

European Union transport ministers agreed Monday to partly reopentheairspace.It will be divided intothree zones based on danger levels.

One zone will be open to all flights;a "caution zone" will be open to some flights; athird zone will be closed to all flights.

Five flights per dayto Europefrom Calgaryhave been cancelled, including those operated by Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air Transat and Thomas Cook Airlines, said airport spokeswoman Jody Moseley.