The European Commission has called on the member states of the Schengen area to issue transit visas to passengers stranded at European airports because of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

Travellers who had no intention of entering the Schengen area, but are forced to do so because of the cancellation of thousands of flights in Europe should receive transit visas without the usual fee, the Commission recommended yesterday. It also said that visa-holders whose visas have expired during the current transport emergency should not be required to have them extended.

The Schengen area consists of 22 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

New rules for issuing Schengen visas entered into force earlier this month. In a statement yesterday, Cecilia Malmström, the European commissioner for home affairs, said that the new rules were now being tested. “Many foreigners visiting the EU are unable to return home to their countries and many of them are worried to see their visas expiring: we can reassure them that they will not be considered as staying irregularly in the EU and will not need to request a visa extension,” she said.

“We can also reassure those who are forced to enter or to transit through EU territory that we will be completely flexible in order to help them return to their countries,” Malmström said.

It will be up to the Schengen member states whether they want to follow the Commission’s recommendations.