Iceland Volcano Eruption Causes European Travel Nightmare And Questions About WRTC Russia

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted April 19, 2010

With European air travel encountering widespread delays and cancellations in recent days because of a cloud of volcanic ash from an eruption in Iceland, the question is what would happen to the World Radiosport Championships set for Russia in July if it persists?

"I do sincerely hope the volcano in TF doesn't cause issues with WRTC," wrote Jeff Briggs K1ZM on the WRTC email reflector this past weekend.

"Moscow is reachable by car from here, but 60% of competitors can arrive only by airplane," said Ranko Boca 4O3A, who lives about 2900 km from the Russian capital.

"If we have to go overland then we can bring more kit, like those further east in Europe," said Dave Lawley G4BUO. "Will just have to book the ferry in plenty of time!"

While Europeans can find a way to Moscow in the event of massive airline travel troubles, the same can't be said for competitors on most other continents.

But for most of the WRTC participants right now, the volcano is just background noise, as they are still hashing out visa applications and more for the July contest.

"I don't even have airline tickets for WRTC booked yet," was a familiar refrain from competitors like Scott Robbins W4PA.

But the delays and cancelled trips by world leaders like President Barack Obama to a state funeral in Poland this past weekend show what could happen if the volcano in Iceland continues to be active in coming months.

"My partner K1LZ is for the moment trapped in Bulgaria and cannot fly out of there until the dust clears," K1ZM added.

One historical note of warning - is that the last time the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, it lasted for two years from 1821-1823.

The Iceland eruption already disrupted an IARU Region I Executive Committee meeting that was set for Sofia, Bulgaria, as only a few hams made it there.

"The rest are either stranded at the transit airport or on the way back home by any possible means of transportation," read a report from the IARU Region web site.

The cloud of volcanic ash started impacting airports in Russia over the weekend, as over 200 flights were delayed or cancelled according to Russian aviation authorities, over 2,000 miles from the Icelandic eruption.

Among the facilities affected was Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, which would be one of the main arrival points for many of the WRTC contestants.

For some contestants from Europe, any travel troubles by air could be easily overcome, as they could reach Moscow by car, train or bus.

But for those traveling from the rest of the world - even far eastern Russia - it could present a travel hurdle that is almost impossible to overcome.