The air-travel crisis caused by the cloud of volcanic ash emanating from Iceland has affected nearly seven million passengers across the globe. Flights were expected to resume Tuesday; however a new ash cloud has raised fresh concerns about the decision to restore air traffic.
Travellers find themselves forced to pay for alternative travel arrangements, extended hotel stays, and other unplanned expenses that are undoubtedly a financial strain for all those affected. With the prevailing uncertainty, travellers may have to endure for up to three weeks and in this period some will simply run out of funds, or be restricted by credit card limits.
With forecasters warning of weeks of further eruptions, Western Union, a leading provider of money transfer services in the world, has issued a short guide for stranded travellers in how to receive funds from concerned families back home.
Hatem Sleiman, Regional Vice President, Near East, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sudan at Western Union, commented: “If your travel plans have gone up in ashes, cash can be king. In these exceptional and difficult circumstances, concerned relatives and friends should consider money transfer as a quick and reliable way to make sure their families are provided for until alternative travel plans can be made.”
1. Consider cash: The UK Foreign Office advises cash-strapped travellers who choose to receive money through commercial money transfer services to use a reliable one. Western Union allows families to transfer money in minutes, either online or in person at more than 11,000 Agent locations in the UK. In the United Arab Emirates, the Western Union® Money TransferSM service is available in over 500 Agent locations. The recipient can pick up the money at more than 410,000 participating locations around the world.
2. Don’t bank on banks being open: Many of Western Union locations are open well beyond traditional bank working hours. Some are even open 24 hours a day, including Saturdays and Sundays. Money transfers are fast and available in minutes.
