Newcastle Airport counting £1m cost of volcano crisis

Apr 29 2010 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

THE ash cloud crisis will cost the region’s biggest airport around £1m, it was revealed last night.

Newcastle International’s chief executive Dave Laws told the Journal the problems caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption were the worst he has experienced in his three decades with the business.

They came on the back of the harsh winter weather conditions, which saw the airport spend tens of thousands a day just to stay open. With all services in and out of Tyneside operating again, Mr Laws praised his staff for their efforts during the difficult period.

He said: “It is fair to say that in the 32 years I have been here, I have never seen the airport brought to its knees, for want of a better phrase, in the way that it was.

“I was here for 9/11 and that was difficult but we still operated throughout the period concerned, but with this one it was a case of everything being brought to a complete standstill.

“We had to deal with the challenge, in terms of our customers and making sure they were catered for and looked after to the best of our abilities.

“Their contract is between themselves and the airlines, rather than with us, and we were delighted by some of the things they did to help their passengers, in particular Jet2.com, who hired coaches and cruise ships to bring people back.

“Other passengers have told us the service they received from Emirates was excellent, which is great to hear.