Continued Mexican volcanic activity highlights ash cloud threat to flights

A Mexican volcano is continuing to rumble and emit gas and ashes after a series of small eruptions which started last month. Popocatepetl is just 50 miles from Mexico City and it's busy airport, causing fears that airborne volcanic ash could cause flight disruption.

If a more serious eruption does occur, it's possible that volcanic ash could travel in the atmosphere and affect flights across a much wider area. For instance, in June 2011, volcanic ash from an eruption in the Puyehue Cordon Caulle volcano chain in southern Chile caused significant delays and cancellations to flights in Australia and New Zealand.

This volcanic activity in Mexico is not currently having any impact beyond its immediate area, but it does remind us that a volcanic eruption can occur at any time, causing an ash cloud with the potential to disrupt air travel far away from the volcano itself.

Volcanic activity also continues within Europe, Mount Etna in Sicily, Europe's most active volcano, erupted as recently as January 2012. Not to mention the constant threat of further eruptions in Iceland, scientists have been monitoring unusual activity around Hekla, one of the island's largest volcanos since last summer.

Adding Natural Catastrophe (Volcanic Ash) Cover to your travel insurance policy can provide extra peace of mind if you are worried about the possibility of a volcanic ash cloud disrupting your holiday plans.

Under EU law your airline has an obligation to reschedule or refund your flight and provide meals and accommodation if necessary, in addition to this, having Natural Catastrophe Cover as part of your travel insurance policy can give you more freedom.

It can allow you to claim for the cost of alternative travel arrangements if your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours by volcanic ash and no reasonable alternative is provided to you.

Natural Catastrophe cover (volcanic ash) from insurewithease.com is designed to enhance your travel insurance policy by providing cover for cancellation, delay and additional expenses incurred due to unexpected natural events such as volcanic ash cloud and other natural disasters including; earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes.

Find out more about Natural Catastrophe (Volcanic Ash) Cover >>

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