The volcanic explosion in Iceland continues to cause havoc for travellers both in the UK and the rest of mainland Europe.

Fingernails

Bands that have booked flights to get to the European Championships on the 30th April are now starting to chew their fingernails in hope rather than expectation as news of disruptions to air flights continues.

Go ahead

EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg has confirmed to 4BR that the Championships will definitely go ahead, and that despite the problems, bands, players and supporters have contacted EBBA to state that they are already making alternative arrangements to get to Linz in time.

Ulf told 4BR: "The Championships will go ahead, but we do understand the problems many people are facing. We are encouraged by the reports we are getting from everyone wishing to get to Linz and the efforts they are making with alternative travel arrangements should they need them."

Flight problems

The three British bands taking part all face potential travel problems with flight delays and possible cancellations, whilst Norwegian champion, Eikanger Bjorsvik and Danish representatives, Concord are also faced with possible flight disruptions.

Bon Accord Chairman David Cooper told 4BR: "We are determined to make it to Linz, especially as each member has raised over £500 to get there. We are due to fly from Aberdeen to Heathrow and then onto Munich on Thursday morning (29th April). We have already looked into alternative arrangements with ferry crossings etc, but at the moment we are waiting like everyone else for good news."

We won’t miss the opportunity to try and make it a hat trick, so even if it takes us over 24 hours to get there, we will make it in timeCory Chairman, Austin Davies

Champions

Reigning champion Cory is also due to take a flight from Heathrow to Munich on the 29th, but have already put a contingency plan in place should their flights be cancelled or delayed.

Band Chairman Austin Davies told 4BR: "We are due to travel to Heathrow by coach from Wales on Wednesday evening, stay the night in a hotel and then fly at 9.00am on the 29th to Munich and then go by coach to Linz. If things look like we are not going to get our original flight, we have made arrangements to make the journey all the way by coach."

Despite a possible 30 hour journey to Austria, Cory is determined to defend its title. "We won’t miss the opportunity to try and make it a hat trick, so even if it takes us over 24 hours to get there, we will make it in time."

Dyke determined

Black Dyke meanwhile has already made sure that their instruments at least will be in Linz in time for their assault on the title, as Band Manager Mike Shenton told 4BR: "We will pack a large van full of instruments and gear after our last rehearsal on Wednesday (28th), which will be driven all the way to Austria. We are then booked on a flight from Manchester to Munich the following day."

Mike continued: "We have already looked into alternative arrangements to ensure both Black Dyke players as well as their instruments will be in Linz."

Eikanger plans

Across the North Sea, Norwegian champion Eikanger Bjorsvik is also facing up to the possibility of making new plans to get to Austria.

Band Manager Viggo Bjorge told 4BR: "We are due to fly from Bergen on Thursday morning (29th) via Frankfurt and then onto Vienna, returning the following Monday. The alternative for us is to leave Bergen on the Tuesday and take a bus and ferry crossing through to the mainland and then travel onto Linz from there."

The problems with UK flights has also meant that the band is hoping to be able to get conductor David King out to Bergen in time for the last batch of rehearsals with the band, whilst any last minute delays may effect some of Eikanger’s student players.

Viggo added: "David is due to come out on Wednesday, so we may have to look at alternative routes to get him here. We also have to ensure that we can get our student players to travel with us too, as at present many have exams to take and they cannot be missed."

Determined Danes

The Concord Band is also hoping for clear skies above Denmark as they have booked their flights from Copenhagen to Vienna.

Band President Sune Wedam told 4BR: "We are determined to get to the contest. We have already booked our flights from Copenhagen, but we can make other arrangements if we need to – although we hope not to do that!"

No problems

For the bands on the central European mainland, there are no problems.

Anneke Kuipers of Dutch champion De Waldsang told 4BR that thankfully they would be making the trip to Linz by coach. "We hope all the other bands make it to the contest," she told 4BR.

"We are lucky that we are making the trip by coach, leaving on Tuesday evening and making it through to Linz by the Wednesday afternoon."

The same applies to Brass Band Buizingen.

Their conductor Luc Vertommen told 4BR: "We will be making the trip by coach starting from Brussels on the Wednesday and staying in Munich overnight. We will then travel onto Linz the following day."

EBBA message

EBBA meanwhile has stated that they have received many of the same messages from the bands themselves.

In a press statement they said: "The message being received by EBBA is that a number of bands are making total changes to their travel plans to get to Linz. Many of the European bands have already found alternative rail and road transport, individuals taking part in the Solo Competition and the young people attending the European Youth Band are on standby with alternative travel arrangements.

Four young people from Scotland may travel by road if their flight is cancelled on Saturday; one of the parents has offered to drive them there.

EBBA thanks all those making that extra effort, also extra financial outlay, to get to Linz."