By IRNA,
London : The cloud of volcanic ash over Europe has had the unforeseen consequence of hampering Britain’s military operations in Afghanistan due to the ban on all flights in the UK.
According to FlightGlobal, Britain’s air force has been forced to suspend its airbridge operation with Afghanistan, temporarily halting its ability to fly in essential supplies, evacuate injured personnel and repatriate those killed in action.
One of the immediate consequences affected 550 British military personnel returning from Afghanistan, who had reached Cyprus on their way back to the UK, although around half have since been reportedly ferried back using alternative means of transport.
The US has also reported that medical evacuation flights out of Afghanistan are taking eight hours longer because of the cloud of volcanic ash hanging over Europe.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday that the three Navy ships were being drafted in to help the return of up to 200,000 Britons stranded abroad, but which are also expected to be used to help bring home military personnel.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence was also said to be looking at interim transport contingency plans and how essential supplies can be taken to Afghanistan should the airbridge remain closed for an extended period.
FlightGlobal reported that there were already contingency plans in place should any casualty evacuation activities be required, with other facilities in the Middle East and Europe available as options.
Some domestic flights started to take off in the UK Tuesday as airports began to reopen for the first time in five-days, but the air traffic control body Nats said a new ash cloud from the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland meant future uncertainty.