Flight disruptions due to the volcanic ash cloud over Europe has already cost Emirates $50 million, the airline said. To date, over 80,000 passengers have been impacted by the ongoing disruption, it said.

Emirates is losing revenue from 18,000 passengers a day as airspace across the UK and much of Europe remains closed. Around 30 Emirates aircraft are grounded – equivalent to one fifth of the fleet, a statement said.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, said: “The scale of this crisis is unlike anything I have experienced in my career. The longer it continues, the more complex the recovery process becomes. Like every carrier operating to Europe, Emirates is facing huge losses – $10 million a day in our case.

“These are losses which are coming straight out of our own pocket. But despite this not being a crisis of our own making, we are doing everything possible to minimise the impact on our customers.

“This is why Emirates will continue to provide hotel accommodation for all passengers who were in transit in Dubai when the disruption began. We will also do everything we can to get our operation moving quickly once approval to fly has been received. However we estimate it will take around 24 hours to get flight schedules back to normal.”

Currently, Emirates is not accepting passengers for travel to any European destinations excluding Moscow, Athens, Larnaca, Malta and Istanbul until April 20.

The airline is providing accommodation and three meals per day for approximately 6,000 passengers who were in transit when the disruption began at a cost of more than $1 million per day, the airline said.

Customers affected by the disruption can cancel their booking or change their onward destination without charge. Emirates has waived all re-issue and cancellation fees while the crisis is ongoing.

Emirates has advised all passengers to check the status of their flight on www.emirates.com before leaving for the airport. Passengers are asked not to go to the airport if their flight has been cancelled.
 - Reuters