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Stranded travelers search for options after Icelandic volcano eruption

20.04.10

Andrew and Debbie Jackman of Britain spent more than two years saving for a family vacation to Australia. It wasn't long enough.

Their Qantas flight from Sydney back to Britain was canceled Friday thanks to the Icelandic volcano eruption that has disrupted global travel for days. So the couple and their two teenage sons squeezed into a $138 hotel room. On Saturday, the hotel raised the price of the same room to $322 — simply because it could, Jackman said. After hours of negotiations, the hotel brought the price back down to $147, but the family, broke and frustrated, opted to move to a hostel Sunday.

"We're at the end of the holiday so we've spent all our money," a weary Jackman said as he sat with his family at Sydney Airport.

The family's tale of hardship is one of thousands.

European Union officials agreed Monday to allow limited flights to resume, but a backlog of passengers from five days of cancellations means countless thousands of people are stranded. Many are broke, having shelled out for hotels, meals, clothing and transport to and from the airport as they seek information on when their travel nightmare might end.

Source: Seattle Times

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