Photo Gallery The Long Wait
The ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull has affected air travel across Europe and brought air traffic to a near standstill. Germany closed its entire airspace on Friday and flights were cancelled at all airports, including the country's largest at Frankfurt, pictured here.
Germany's Lufthansa reported Saturday that not a single of the airline's planes was in the air anywhere in the world for the first time in the company's history.
Less than comfy: Many passengers across the continent slept in airports on Friday. Here, passengers attempt to nap in the waiting lounge of the Düsseldorf International Airport.
In Munich, a room of cots was set up for stranded passengers. Munich's main airport, Franz Josef Strauss Airport, closed at 8 p.m. Friday; it was the last airport to close in the country.
Many a traveler opted to sleep on the floor in Munich. Some could still even manage a smile.
A woman makes herself comfortable as best she can. Her flight from Munich to Bangkok was cancelled Friday.
Waiting indefinitely: A woman tries to sleep in Munich.
"I'll be a little late, dear": Travelers sit beside their unexpected overnight accommodations in Munich.
Some passengers at Paris' Orly Airport were also forced to spend the night in the terminal.
One traveler in Paris was lucky: He brought his tent along and was able to improvize a bit of privacy.
Eyjafjallajökull launched another gigantic cloud of ash into the air Friday evening. The Icelandic volcano has nearly paralyzed air travel across Central and Northern Europe.
The volcano isn't just complicating air travel -- on Iceland, some residents have taken to wearing masks and goggles to protect themselves from the ash.
Parts of Iceland near the volcano were covered in a deep layer of ash.
On Iceland, the volcanic eruptions have created apocalyptic scenes. Elsewhere, they cause air travel chaos on a scale not seen since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, costing airlines hundreds of millions of dollars.
Scientists collect ash samples in Iceland in order to study the composition.
The ash cloud rose rapidly to an altitude of up to 36,100 feet (11,000 meters). It covered the entire airspace above Germany on Friday.
Eyjafjallajokull erupting on Saturday: It can cost an airline more than 10 million per day if it is forced to ground its entire fleet.
