Dream vacations may become a reality once again for European travelers. Scientists in Iceland report the volcanic eruptions that have disrupted air travel across Europe for more than a month appear to be calming down and the ash cloud that has threatened the continent's airspace is dissipating.
欧洲游客看来可以重新随心所欲地外出旅游了。冰岛科学家报告说，火山喷发似乎正在减弱，威胁欧洲领空的火山尘埃正在消散，冰岛火山喷发在长达一个多月的时间里让欧洲大陆的空中旅行陷入停顿。
The announcement is welcome news for would-be travelers and the airline industry, which lost an estimated $1.6 billion in last month's six-day shutdown of air space.
对于计划旅行的乘客和航空公司来说，这是个好消息，欧洲领空上月关闭六天，航空公司的损失估计达16亿美元。
But scientists say the volcano is still rumbling deep within the earth and could erupt again. Plus, scientists warn of a larger neighboring volcano that could also erupt at any time.
但是科学界说，冰岛火山地下深层依然隆隆作响，可能再次喷发。科学界还警告说，临近一座更大的火山可能随时喷发。
Missing out on tourists during peak travel season is just what Frances Tuke, spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents, would like to avoid.
英国旅行代理商协会(Association of British Travel Agents)女发言人图克(Frances Tuke)说，最不希望的是旅游旺季没有游客。
"We cannot control the eruptions of a volcano, but what we can do is change and adapt our reaction to it, which is what the U.K. travel industry is endeavoring to do in order to make sure that flying is safe, but that there is minimum disruption," she said.
她说：“我们控制不了火山喷发，但是我们能改变并调整对火山喷发的反应。英国旅行业正努力这样做，确保航空安全，把受到的影响降到最低程度。”
At the height of the volcanic eruptions last month, airlines grounded their planes for fear the ash could interfere with jet engines and make flying unsafe.
冰岛火山喷发上月最为严重，航空公司禁止飞机飞行，担心火山烟尘会干扰飞机发动机的工作，影响飞行安全。
Tuke says research since the initial flight ban is helping experts to minimize no-fly zones by identifying which air space is dangerous for travel, and which may be safely used. She says even renewed volcanic eruptions should affect far fewer travelers.
图克说，禁飞令颁布之后，专家进行了研究，确认哪些空域不能飞行，哪些可以，将禁飞区控制在最小的范围。她说，即使火山再次喷发，受影响旅客的人数比上次也会少很多。
The disruptions of April have cost the travel industry dearly, says economist Linda Yueh. She says fear could further slow Europe's already sluggish economic recovery.
经济学家琳达·岳(Linda Yueh)说，4月份航班停飞，旅游业损失惨重。她认为，火山灰引起的恐惧会进一步拖延欧洲经济已经十分缓慢的复苏。
"Especially with a busy summer and autumn, having this kind of uncertainty is likely to shave off a few-billion dollars or euros from the European economies at a time when really these countries could certainly use that additional revenue," she said.
她说：“特别是夏季和秋季这两个旅游旺季，这种不确定性会让欧洲国家减少几十亿美元的进账，这正是这些国家需要增加收入的时候。”
Though some may still be wary about booking flights, the potential of new eruptions is not enough to keep Annette Mansford out of the skies. She and her family are jetting off for a long-awaited island getaway. Mansford's advice for other travelers?
尽管很多人还是不敢贸然订购航空客票，但曼斯福特并不担心火山再度喷发。她和家人正在搭机前往一个小岛度假，本次旅行，全家已经期盼很久了。她对其他游客也有忠告。
"Just go! Make the most of it," she said. "Make sure you have got travel insurance, though!"
她说：“只管去好了，去充分享受，但别忘了买旅行保险！”
For travelers to and from Britain, there is an additional factor to worry about - British Airways cabin crews have begun a five-day strike, resulting in hundreds of canceled flights at London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport.
对于进出英国的旅客来说，还有另外需要担心的事情，那就是英国航空公司的乘务员已经开始五天的罢工，导致伦敦希思罗机场数百航班被取消，而希思罗是欧洲最繁忙的机场。 |