A GOLCAR family have been forced to extend their stay in America after flights into the UK were cancelled due to volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Nichole Porter, husband Colin and 11-year-old son Scott were planning to fly home yesterday.
But instead they will remain in Orlando, Florida, until Tuesday after their connecting flight to Manchester Airport was cancelled after the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano erupted.
All non-emergency flights to and from the UK were grounded by ash from the eruption, causing travel chaos and leaving thousands of travellers stranded. at home and abroad.
Experts warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud could be sufficient to jam aircraft engines, forcing up to 4,000 flights to be cancelled.
No flights will arrive at or leave Manchester or Leeds Bradford airports until 7am this morning at the earliest.
Speaking to the Examiner from Orlando, Nichole said: "We were due to fly out of Orlando International Airport at 10.55am American time, but at 4.50am my mother-in-law called to say there had been a volcanic eruption and all local airports were closed.
"It’s just unbelievable to think something like that could impact on us here.
"We were due to get a connecting flight in Chicago to Manchester but because we’ve got a family home in Orlando we decided to stay rather than fly to Chicago and have to wait there in a hotel.
"We’re lucky because other families are having to pay out for hotels themselves because it’s seen as an act of god and because airlines can’t do anything about the situation."
The couple work for the family business, Lynda’s Transport, based in Milnsbridge, which Colin’s parents Lynda and Donald Porter run.
Nichole added: "Thankfully, Colin’s parents are running the business so we don’t have to worry about not turning into work on Monday."
Also stuck abroad is Huddersfield Rugby Union Club’s Director Mark Sowerby.
Mr Sowerby, senior sales director for Henkel company, who deal in the production of tin cans, was stuck in Copenhagen Airport.
He said: "I’m hoping the travel agent my company use can find me a flight, this morning, alternatively I could go by rail, which takes me half way round the world.
"I would have to get the train to Berlin from there to Dusseldorf and then on to Brussels to join the Eurostar which takes me to London and then from there to Manchester where I’ve parked my car."
Fortunately, he’s managed to book another night in his Copenhagen hotel, so at least he won’t be spending the night on an airport floor.
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have said that no flights will be permitted in UK controlled airspace until 7am today at the earliest, due to the volcanic ash drifting across the country from Iceland.
Most airlines have said extra flights will be put on tomorrow and passengers are advised to contact their travel agent for details.
Also under threat is four of this weekend’s Carnegie Challenge Cup ties involving French sides.
