Exports buried in volcanic ash: when Iceland's eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, billowing ash high into the atmosphere, it caused an almost blanket cancellation of flights into and out of Europe for a week. The unprecedented disruption took its toll not only on African business travellers but also exports of fresh produce such as vegetables, flowers and fish. Richard Seymour reports.

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Exports buried in volcanic ash: when Iceland's eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, billowing ash high into the atmosphere, it caused an almost blanket cancellation of flights into and out of Europe for a week. The unprecedented disruption took its toll not only on African business travellers but also exports of fresh produce such as vegetables, flowers and fish. Richard Seymour reports.

The disruption caused to air transport in Europe by the Iclandic volcano exceeded even that caused by the 9/11 attacks. Ferries, trains and buses were crammed full with passengers. Rental cars, when they could be found, cost thousands of euros. And even Navy ships were deployed to repatriate those stuck abroad. The European aviation industry wrung its hands, sending its chief executives up into the as...

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