Passengers stranded at Beijing Airport as volcanic ash cloud spreads

Air China cancelled flights to Russia for two days citing the eruption of an ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. RIA Novosti was told at Beijing Capital International Airport that Air China flight CA909 was cancelled on April 17, and so was the one due the day before.Shi Zengxin, an Air China manager, said the company was not responsible for finding accommodation and catering to the stranded travelers because the eruption was considered a force majeure circumstance.
Russian tourists stuck in Beijing also need visa extensions, a concern coming third after food and accommodation. Many of them have group or transit visas only valid for a 24 hour stay in Beijing. To resolve this problem, the airline is providing its passengers with letters confirming the cancellation of their flight. Each traveler needs to take that letter to a visa authority to get an extension at a fee of 160 yuan ($23.50).
Eyjafjallajokull, a volcano 200 km to the east of Reykjavik, erupted on April 14 after being dormant for 190 years, discharging a thick cloud of volcanic ash. The ash particles pose a danger to aircraft engine turbines and could cause problems if accumulated on wings. The eruption has disrupted air travel throughout most of Europe.