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Eyjafjallajokull Ash Messes Up NYC's Economy, Too
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 19, 2010
Modified Apr 19, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 19, 2010
Modified Apr 19, 2010
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As ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continues to snag air travel, as airlines have criticized European governments for flight restrictions that are costing them $250 million a day. The head of an airline industry body, Giovanni Bisignani, told the BBC, "This is a European embarrassment and it's a European mess." And it's not just European airlines that are hurting—NYC's tourism arm believes it's losing $250 million from the lack of European visitors this weekend. NYC & Co. spokeswoman Marjan Inbar told the Daily News, "The people we were expecting are not coming and not spending money at restaurants."
According to the News, "International tourists make up only 20% of the visitors to New York, but account for 50% of tourism spending, city officials said. The tourism agency estimates that for every 1,000 European visitors who cancel their trips, the city will lose out on $1.5 million in spending on hotels, restaurants and museums." Hotels are having a slightly easier time: A staffer at the Hotel Giraffe on Park Avenue South said, "here are a lot of cancellations but for every cancellation there is someone who needs to extend their room." And one eatery by a YMCA hostel has agreed to feed some French students visiting NYC, even though they have run out of money (their chaperone hopes to get cash from the Consulate today)—and one of the students is worrying about his dirty clothes:
Back to the skies: Bisignani railed about the no-fly restrictions, "The decision that Europe has made is with no risk assessment, no consultation, no co-ordination, no leadership. Europeans are still using a system based on a theoretical model which does not work... instead of using a system and taking decisions on facts and on risk assessment." Britain is drafting Royal Naval ships to possibly bring stranded Britons home—Spanish airports have limited activity (Spain is at the edge of the volcanic ash plume area)—and a British official said, "We are now looking (at) transport arrangements that we will support as a government - coach, ferry and train - to get people either from Madrid or another Spanish airport back to Britain."
It's possible air travel restrictions will be lifted tomorrow, if the smoke monster cooperates. And NATO says that F-16 fighter jets engines were damaged by the ash.
Tagged
air travel
airline
Eyjafjallajokull glacier
nyc tourism
travel
volcanic ash
volcano
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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