Volcanic ash crisis 'to support growth of ferry travel'

The recent aviation crisis caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland will contribute to an emerging trend of consumers turning to ferry travel as an alternative to flying, an expert has claimed.

Writing for the Independent, Simon Calder pointed out that the six-day closure of UK airspace between April 15th and 20th prompted more than a million people to turn to sea travel options.

Companies such as P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries reported unprecedented demand for their services during the period.

Mr Calder revealed that the growth in popularity of ferry travel began last year, with passenger numbers at UK airports falling by ten per cent in 2009 while sea crossings increased.

To reflect this trend, the travel expert put together an "A to Z of European ferries" in which A stood for Amsterdam.

DFDS Seaways operates ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam, while Stena Line offers a Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry service.

The letter B in Mr Calder's list represented Boulogne, a popular French town that travellers can reach from Dover with LD Lines.

Posted by Andrew Smith