Contingencies - more on the effect of the volcano

For those pupils and teachers who have been able to return to school for the start of term, there are plenty of examples of the business effects of the volcanic ash cloud over Europe to study. This BBC summary looks at the impact on airlines, other transport providers, the tourism industry and imports and exports in general.

Could businesses have foreseen the problem and included it in their contingency planning? It is unprecedented - and surely was not anticipated in the consumer protection law within the EU which insists that air passengers stranded in Europe must be provided by the airline with three meals a day and overnight accomodation. But as there continues to be no end in sight, and with renewed reports of more ash being emitted it should not be surprising that there is a new report this morning that BA are approaching the European Union about compensation, and that Michael O’Leary of Ryanair is condemning the payments to passengers as unfair on the airlines.

Consider these reports: ‘Volcano’s ash causes sporting chaos’ - what about all those small businesses around sports stadiums who make their money from providing services for match days, if international matches this week are played to half emply venues? What about ‘Outrage over flight price issue’ - what are the ethics of pricing for those who are desperate to travel, and find them selves paying huge amounts in order to complete their journeys?

Could schools have anticipated the impact of additional payments for cover teachers, because they are missing up to a quarter of their staff who cannot get back for the start of term? It is a major impact on their budgets, at a time that the threat of cuts in spending is already a worry for them. To what extent can the use of email and virtual learning environments help pupils who cannot return to school to prepare for GCSE, AS and A level exams, or will exam boards need to consider giving special consideration to those whose preparation for exams is disrupted - ‘Exam change for stranded pupils’ implies that they will not, but surely this depends on how long the disruption lasts?