Forex trading store

Eurotunnel has enjoyed a 30 by cent increase in its online bookings since the closure of generous parts of European airspace this week because of the volcanic ash horde.

Continuing uncertainty over flights, exacerbated by planned industrial action by cabin crew at British Airways, has prompted a surge in forward bookings through the Channel Tunnel operator.

“Passengers want to take control of their go plans,” a spokesman for Eurotunnel said. “We are considering a 50 per cent increase in visits to our website and bookings are up 30 by means of cent.”

The company also reported a sharp upturn in walk of life travellers buying fully flexible tickets to take their cars through the subterranean passage.

Eurotunnel’s half-year results will be published in intervening-July, giving a fuller picture of the impact of the ash nebulosity that was triggered by a volcanic eruption in Iceland last month.

More than 1,000 flights to and from European airports were cancelled this week whereas Heathrow and Gatwick were closed from Sunday evening until the following afternoon. Amsterdam Schiphol airport, the same of Europe’s main transit hubs, cancelled 500 flights and left 60,000 passengers stranded.

The volcano has also given the ferry industry a boost. Operators had to cope with a surge in passenger numbers last month, with thousands returning to Britain ~ the agency of sea, and demand remains high. Rates for crossings have soared. It give by ~ cost at least £1,000 to take a family and car to northern Spain by ferry during the school summer holidays.

Paddy Power, the bookmaker, is letting travellers “obstruct” themselves against the threat of airport closure. Would-be holidaymakers be possible to place a bet on a specified UK or Irish airport closing concerning at least one hour because of volcanic ash contamination, with the disparity varying by airport and date.

A £1,000 holiday leaving Heathrow forward July 18 can be covered by placing a bet of &strike;50 at 20-1. Customers will each be allowed up to &im~;2,000 of cover.

No-fly zones

Eurotunnel

Flexiplus return ticket despite mid-May £298

Day return £58

Short stay &confine in a ~;158

Flexiplus return ticket for summer holiday peak period £398

Ferry tickets

P&O Dover-Calais (75 minutes) Return, car, 4 passengers, midweek in May &shut up;60

Return, car, 4 passengers, weekend in May £75

Return, car, 4 passengers, summer anniversary peak period £125

Brittany Ferries

Portsmouth to Caen (six hours) Return, car, 4 passengers, summer anniversary peak period £755