An underground magma tunnel in the southwest of Iceland has been active for weeks. A number of earthquakes have been recorded in the region in the past few days, a deep fissure has opened up on the Reykjanes peninsula, and the city of Grindavík has been evacuated. The place is around 40 kilometers west of the capital Reykjavík. Now the volcano has erupted, the eruption is more violent than experts expected.
Winter with its short days is not the main travel time for Iceland. But holidaymakers also come in the cold, dark months to see the northern lights or the partially frozen waterfalls. Are trips to the island now risky? And could you cancel it free of charge?
Is it currently possible to vacation in Iceland?
Apart from the evacuated region, the seismic activity currently has no impact – except for the closure of the “Blue Lagoon”. The geothermal bath is very popular with holidaymakers. The Foreign Office advises that you strictly follow the instructions of the local authorities and observe bans, signs and warnings. There is no travel warning for Iceland. According to the Foreign Office, the authorities have declared a state of emergency in the affected area and closed it, as well as the road leading to Keflavik Airport.
Is the airport affected?
Eyjafjallajökull is unforgettable: after an eruption of the volcano with the unpronounceable name, air traffic was stopped for days in 2010, not only over Iceland, but over large parts of Northern and Central Europe. Keflavik International Airport is around 20 kilometers as the crow flies from the currently affected region. So far there are no restrictions on flight operations. Monitor the situation carefully, Icelandair said on its website.
Are vacationers allowed to end their stay or cancel a planned trip?
In the case of a package holiday, the contract can be canceled free of charge under certain circumstances, namely if there is imminent danger or the course of the trip is “significantly” affected. If you are already on the road, the organizer has to organize return transport and pay back the money for the unused services. However, the key word “significant” is crucial: a feeling of fear and uncertainty is not sufficient reason for resignation. There must be objective evidence of impairment, for example a travel warning from the Foreign Office, closures directly at the holiday destination or poor air quality due to ash and smoke. Individual tourists who book their accommodation directly do not have this insurance. They must try to come to an agreement with their landlord if they do not want to travel. If a flight is canceled due to a volcanic eruption, the airline must refund the ticket price or rebook the passenger free of charge. There is no entitlement to additional compensation because the airline cannot be held responsible for the circumstances.
What about travel in the coming months?
It is impossible to predict how the situation on Iceland will develop in the coming weeks. In order to be able to cancel a trip free of charge, there must be a reasonable prognosis that the vacation cannot take place as booked. This is hardly possible for a trip in a few weeks or months: If you cancel now, you will have to pay cancellation costs.