After the dust has almost settled, we take a look at the impact of the Ash Crisis on the travel industry, travellers and the environment.

Stranded jets during the air space closure. Image by Travel Aficionado

• Total cost to airlines: According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) airlines lost more than US$1.7bn in revenue during the six day air space closure. This doesn’t count additional costs incurred of compensation to passengers (many of which are still being settled), nor does it include the relative benefit of reduced operational costs due to flights not being run (reduced fuel consumption for example)

• Total passengers affected: According to the EU transport commissioner, over 10 million passengers were affected when approximately 95,000 flights were cancelled during the initial six days of cancellations alone.

• Total carbon dioxide emissions avoided from cancelled  flights alone was an astonishing (and approximated) 1.6 million tonnes during the six day continuous air space closure alone.  [That's based on assuming approximately 60% of EU flights were cancelled and using data from the 2009 EC GHG inventory report (www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-community-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2009)]. To put this in perspective, according to the BBC, the average Briton is responsible for 3.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.  In practice, during the crisis many passengers took alternative flight routes home, often adding to their carbon footprint, but those who took a train home instead would have cut their footprint to by at least 75%.  People who hired a car and drove all the way home would have roughly halved their carbon emissions, based on two people sharing. Any carbon dioxide emissions saved by alternative transport should be offset against emissions from the volcano itself, estimates of which vary wildly, with the upper end being quoted as 300 thousand tonnes CO2 per day.

Aside of massive disruptions to plans, one of the biggest frustrations for travellers during the period was not knowing where to get information on alternative routes. Judging by the interest that our own site received during this period, the demand for a search engine that answers the simple question “how do I get from A to B” is stronger than ever.  Flight engines are only able to compare routes between international air terminals, and travellers find it difficult to determine the accessibility of alternative airports, or options for taking the train or ferry instead.

With Zoombu you simply tell us your origin and destination and the dates you want to travel and we do the hard work of searching the options for you, recommending door-to-door routes involving different modes of transport.  Try it out and tell us what you think!

Lots of you wanted to run one way searches during the ash incidents, whereas Zoombu currently searches for the outbound and return journeys – the single search feature is in the pipeline.  The beta version currently serves UK outbound travellers, but we’ll be expanding to serve other markets very soon (just in case Eyjafjoell or one of it’s cousins comes back for more…).

- Posted by Rachel

The main stage at Exit by Belkus.

Summer is right around the corner and the festival scene is beginning to hot up.  If you’re looking for something different to do this summer then we’ve picked out a few of the best festivals in Europe to whet your appetite:

1. 1st – 4th July, Belguim, Rock Wercher. This is one of Europe’s largest rock festivals, and stands up to Glastonbury in terms of artist quality and turnout, but with a truly European Twist. Tickets cost from 76 Euros per day. The festival park is located alongside the Haachtsesteenweg in Werchter, which is just 30km from Brussels and 15km from Leuven.  A festival bus will take you from Leuven to the festival (operated by De Lijn).
2. 8th – 11th July, Serbia, Exit Festival. Ths is possibly the hippest festival on offer with a line up of modern pop and rock, staged in the grounds of impressive Petrovaradin Fortress. Exit celebrates its 10th birthday this year so expect extra special stage action. Located in Novi Sad, which is within reaching distance of Belgrade (87km), Budapest (295km), and Zagreb (372km) airports, there are festival airport transfers on offer from a variety of operators.
3. 24th July, Germany, Love Parade.  Originally started in Berlin just months before the fall of the wall, and now held in a different location each year, this time Duisburg is the lucky host to the fun, frolicking and techno-wizardry of the parade of love. Free to attend, this is a must for electronic music lovers. Wacky outfits are optional but generall encouraged! Dusseldort International airport is just 20km away.
4. 9th – 11th July, Netherlands, North Sea Jazz Festival. Probably the biggest Jazz festival in Europe showcasing an array of talent with artists such as Joss Stone, Jamiroquai and Quincy Jones on show. Tickets are available per day (84 EUR) or for the full three days (194 EUR). The festival is located in Ahoy near Rotterdam and is accessible by public transport from Rotterdam Airport or the city centre.
5. 13 August -5 Sept., Edinburgh International Festival (and 6 – 30 August, Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Hundreds of shows across a vast range of genres from opera, modern dance  to stand-up comedy. Tickets are available on an event by event basis, so you can pick and choose depending on what takes your fancy. Edinburgh is easily accessible by train from cities in the UK or from Edinburgh airport (takes around 30 minutes). Check out our information on travelling to Edinburgh page for more detailed travel advice.

We can help you to get from your home right to the festival with our journey search engine, Zoombu, so after you’ve made your pick, give it a whirl to book your transportation.

- Posted by Rachel