Title:
Adding Up the Costs of Lost Travel in Europe
Description: This is
a VOA Special English Economics Report.
See text below
Text:
Air traffic over much of Europe came to a halt for
six days in April because of the huge cloud of ash
from a volcano in Iceland. The economic costs added
up as airlines flew everyone to where they were
trying to go. At its worst, the crisis affected
nearly a third of world air travel. About one
hundred thousand flights were cancelled or delayed.
The International Air Transport Association
estimated the cost to airlines at nearly two billion
dollars. But that does not include costs like the
tons of flowers that growers in Kenya and Israel had
to destroy. Or all the fruits and vegetables that
could also not be flown to Europe. Other businesses
that depend on air travel, including hotels and
vacation places, also suffered. The crisis affected
airports from Washington to Pakistan. The crisis
came just as Europe is trying to recover from its
worst recession in generations. Greece -- a popular
travel place -- continues to face a debt crisis that
has sharply raised its borrowing costs. The United
States halted air travel for three days after the
terrorist attacks in two thousand one. The travel
ban in April lasted twice as long in some European
countries. Critics accused European air transport
officials of being slow to react, then overreacting
to the possible risk to airplanes. The volcano
eruption cost time and money for travelers. Hundreds
of thousands were stuck. Some had no place to stay
except the airport. Others tried to make their way
by train, bus, boat or car. Vacationers had to
change or cancel plans. And not all businesses were
sympathetic. An American stuck in London, already
one of the world's highest priced cities, found that
her hotel had doubled its prices. Some embassies
offered emergency loans to their citizens.
Passengers delayed on European airlines may be able
to get back at least some of the money they had to
spend. The crisis brought new attention to the
billion-dollar market for travel insurance. About
thirty percent of Americans buy policies to cover
unexpected problems when they travel. Some credit
cards offer a form of insurance and could also face
claims. The volcanic eruption was the second time in
two years that Iceland has shaken its neighbors to
the east. The first time was the near-collapse of
Iceland's banks and currency during the world
financial crisis. And that's the VOA Special English
Economics Report.
Hi. I
personally reviewed this video and found it appropriate for
the news section of English Global Group. This
is a Voice of America video which covers an interesting
topic in Special English. I would appreciate some feedback from both
students and teachers about this video. You can comment in
the window below using any of a number of different services
including Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail.
To post a comment:
• Click "Comment using..." in
the window below
• Click your favorite service: Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail
• Login to the service
• Click "Add a comment..."
• Post your comment in the window
Students: Please post a
comment stating what you found interesting about this video. You are
welcome to include links to your English study blogs and any
other materials you think might be useful for learning
English.
Teachers: Please post your
thoughts about this video. You are welcome to include links to
your sites, blogs, and any other materials you think might
be useful for learning English.
Hi. I
personally reviewed this video and found it appropriate for
the news section of English Global Group. This
is a Voice of America video which covers an interesting
topic in Special English. I would appreciate some feedback from both
students and teachers about this video. You can comment in
the window below using any of a number of different services
including Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail.
