Another eruption just happened on the live cam, sending a much bigger cloud towards Europe.

This shut-down is going to have a devastating effect on the whole industry, not just the airlines themselves, but will also affect all peripheal businesses dependant upon air transport. It will rock the economy.

edited to add: Yes Copago, I too saw those comments....as well as the twits on Twitter, and was sickened by the meme attitude shown.

The National Post has a Twitter feed , with the "ashtag" hashtag...although I warn you... it's all drivel.

It's an appalling situation, with hundreds of thousands of people stranded at airports throughout the world, not knowing when they'll be able to travel or return to their home countries. Many of these can't afford additional hotel costs, and are just stuck at the airport.
There's a lot of uncertainty about whether or not travel insurance companies will cover alternative travel costs, or additional accommodation costs, apparently claiming this is all an uninsured 'Act of God'!
My wife and I are due to fly from London to Turkey in three weeks time, but if this situation goes on, we'll have to cancel the trip - and no doubt lose the money we've paid. That is unless the tour company or the airline don't cancel it first.
Another important aspect, which I've not seen reported anywhere, is deciding whether or not to travel, even if flights resume. There may be a temporary windshift, which takes the volcanic dust cloud towards the north, and away from continental Europe, thus allowing planes to take off. What happens though, if the eruption continues and the wind shifts back again - you're stuck, so maybe best to not fly out at all, unless you're returning home. All very difficult

It's not just tourists who are suffering. There was a report on the BBC news site that flower growers in, I think Kenya, are losing around $1.8 million per day because their stocks are just sitting in storage. This natural disaster is going to have ongoing consequences for a long time to come.

The UK government are to use the Royal Navy to shift people who are trapped abroad. Locally Avis car hire are offering a free car to someone who might be trying to get to Spain, they need to get a car there for a stranded family so will not charge anyone who will take it over to Spain.

Not much comfort if you're stuck abroad, or due to fly soon, but there are some pretty spectacular images of the volcano here

Apparently more than 10% of the teachers here are not here if you know what I mean. As most of our teachers have moved to the island from the UK, and also because they have to take their holidays within the school holidays many were out of the island and now can't get back in time for the new school term. They will have to either take the days as unpaid holiday or else make up their hours. Many school children are also out of the island.

One school has both the head teacher and the deputy head out of the island.

I'm yet to hear one news reporter pronounce the volcano yet.

They're amazing photos, Picqero. How cool are the lightening ones??

Stunning photos.

I am wondering if the ash which is starting to fall will damage the paintwork on our cars. I have had dust the past couple of days.

The ban has been lifted and as of 21:34 today aircraft are arriving at London Heathrow (presumably other airports too)

We're certainly getting the dust on our cars, particularly noticeable on the windscreens. While cycling yesterday afternoon, I also noticed a pungent sulphurous smell, which I've never experienced before.
It'll be very interesting to see if those holiday passengers flown into and out of British and other European airports, during temporary wind change periods, get 'stuck' when they're due to return home!

My car has been dusty for the past three or four days now, I am wondering if it will damage the paintwork. Not a lot of point in washing it off if it will be as bad tomorrow.

It shouldn't do any damage as long as you use plenty of water to rinse it off. Use a hose rather than a sponge and bucket, let it dry and have another look. If it's still dusty, do it again.. The ash can be quite abrasive so you need to get as much as possible off the car before you give it a wash and wax.

Wash and wax? You think I wash and wax my car? When the firemen have charity carwash sessions I get my car done, apart from that it just stays dirty.

My boss flies back tonight. Its been so peaceful!