Millions of travellers still stranded

Millions of travellers are stranded in airports around the world. Photo / AP

Millions of passengers - both here and overseas - remain stranded with no idea of when they will be able to continue their journeys as Iceland's erupting volcano continues to contaminate European flight paths with dangerous ash clouds.

While large numbers of travellers are still unable to get out of Britain and Europe, numerous stories are starting to emerge here of tourists who are stuck in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand believes more than 2000 passengers have already been forced to stay as they would only get as far as Hong Kong or Los Angeles on their flights to England and Europe.

Most of those passengers have no indication of when the next flight out of the country will take place, with some being told the earliest they can rebook a flight is in 10 days. It might, however, take several weeks to clear the backlog once international airspaces reopen.

While those people are stuck here, about 500 Air New Zealand passengers who were in transit as international airfields started to close late last week, remain stuck in Los Angeles and Hong Kong after their flights were unable to proceed into Europe. While their expenses are being covered by the airline, many other New Zealand passengers and international tourists are stranded overseas at their own expense and struggling to cover costs.

One such example is English couple Helen and Andrew Mitchell and their two primary school aged children who flew out of Auckland late on Friday night on an Air New Zealand flight.

Mrs Mitchell's mother Irene Macleod, who is stuck in Queenstown with her husband William after their flight home to London was cancelled, said she has received several phonecalls from her desperate daughter.

She said the family were not advised not to travel and are now stuck in Hong Kong without any assistance from Air New Zealand. They are staying at the Marriott Hotel but demand for rooms has seen the price of their accommodation double in the short time they have been there.

Mrs Macleod is angry Air New Zealand is not helping, saying senior airline staff at Auckland Airport recommended the family fly to Hong Kong, rather than stay in Auckland. "My daughter actually got the main manager down ... she said to him 'If you were in my position what would you do?' He said to her 'If I was in your position I'd go because we've got a better chance of getting you out of Hong Kong'."

Air New Zealand spokesman Mark Street said all passengers were warned from Friday afternoon that if they chose to continue with their travels it would be at their own expense.

It was only people who were in transit when the airports started to close that were being provided with food and accommodation costs.

There was nothing the airline could do to help families like the Mitchells and he encouraged them to contact their travel insurance companies.

Meanwhile, international tourists stranded in Auckland are being offered free accommodation by families who are opening up their homes to travellers.

Tourism Auckland Chief Executive Graeme Osborne said about 100 Aucklanders had offered their homes since yesterday morning. So far around 12 people, including an elderly British couple and a family with young children, had taken up the offer.

Given Britain is New Zealand's second largest source of international visitors, Mr Osborne said he expected the number of people needing temporary accommodation to rise.

Once flight spaces reopen it is difficult to know how long it will take to clear the backlog of stranded travellers. Air New Zealand has indicated it would consider putting on extra aircraft but said there would be a large number of variables outside its control, including limited landing spots in London. The airline expects it could be "a couple of weeks" before passengers booked to leave New Zealand after last night would be able to get away.

US-based forecaster AccuWeather is predicting the volcanic plume will become more concentrated in the next three days, posing an even greater threat to air travel. However, the plume was expected to become narrower so it would effect a smaller area.

Meanwhile, shows from three comedians due to arrive this week from London for the Comedy Festival remain uncertain.

Comedy promoter Scott Blanks said the comedians were due to leave Heathrow tonight but that was now in doubt. He is hopeful they will make it by the end of the week but if not there are "reverses" who will fill the roles.

- additional reporting Mathew Dearnaley and agencies.