NI Air Travel Freezes

Flights to and from the province remained grounded this morning, as ash from an Icelandic volcano continued to linger over the UK's skies.

Airspace over the British Isles has been declared a virtual no go zone for all planes, causing massive disruption across the country and some parts of eastern Europe.

Only a small number of low flying passengers have been shuttled between Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Scheduled flights to the Isle of Mann are still continuing.

However, all travellers have been advised to contact their carriers for clarification.

Air traffic control body Nats today said no flights could cross UK airspace until 1am Saturday at the earliest.

Most flights will remain grounded from the International, George Best Belfast City and City of Derry airports until at least 7pm Friday.

Some restrictions have been lifted on flights to and from the Irish Republic, however Dublin airport remains out of operation until later today.

There has been an influx of Northern Ireland people choosing to travel by ferry, and P&O, Stena and Norfolkline have reiterated that their sailings are operating as timetabled today.

So far an estimated 600,000 passengers have been affected by the grounding of planes in the UK.

(PR/BMcC)