Emirates prepares wave of flights into Europe

Disruption cost around $50 million:

Emirates is preparing for a wave of flights into Europe with signs that the volcanic ash clouds may be subsiding.

For the past five days, 20 percent of Emirates' fleet - or 30 aircraft - have remained on the ground with much of Europe's airspace closed for business.

Central to the contingency plan is securing flights into the UK - subject to approval by the UK air traffic control authorities.

The disruption has cost the airline around $50 million. Emirates continues to provide hotel accommodation in Dubai for thousands of passengers who were in transit when the disruption began.

To date, over 250 Emirates' flights have been cancelled and more than 80,000 passengers have been impacted by the ongoing disruption. As things stand, the airline is not accepting passengers for travel to any European destinations apart from Moscow, Athens, Larnaca, Malta, Istanbul, Nice and Rome, until April 21.

Customers affected by the disruption can cancel their booking or change their onward destination without charge. Emirates has waived all re-issue and cancellation fees while the disruption is ongoing.