20/04/2010

Irish Flights Still Grounded After Eruption

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has declared that flights will again be halted today after a further eruption in Iceland.

The renewed blast at the Icelandic volcano at around 1pm yesterday afternoon along with the prevailing weather conditions have dashed plans to remove the restrictions in Irish airspace today.

The latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reports show Ireland at the centre of a contamination zone up to at least 1pm this afternoon.

Arrangements had been agreed by the Minister for Transport yesterday for an easing of restrictions depending on the degree of ash contamination.

However, speaking this morning a spokesman for the IAA said: "the renewed eruption means the density of volcanic ash over Irish Airspace is such that restrictions will have to continue until 1pm today at least."

However, in the UK some domestic flights are taking off as airports begin to reopen after five days without flights.

There will be no commercial flights departing Ireland prior to 1pm. An update will be provided mid-morning but the restrictions may well be continued to a later time.

The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow were among a few internal flights scheduled from Scotland.

Airlines are still reviewing their plans with Newcastle Airport running just eight of 130 scheduled flights.

Although Scottish airspace is open most of the flights are said to be to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.

The first international flight from Glasgow is due - ironically - to head for Reykjavik in Iceland at midday.

The IAA said passengers should contact their airlines' websites before travelling to the airport for flights.

A spokesman for the IAA said they would continue to monitor both volcanic activity and meteorological information.

(DW/BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 April 2010
Northern Ireland Airspace Remains Closed
Flights from NI are again 'up in the air' today as travellers are being advised not to turn up at airports at all as UK airspace remains closed due to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.
15 April 2010
Ash Clouds Halt NI Flights
Volcanic plumes travelling from Iceland have disrupted most flights to and from the Province this morning. The dangerous ash's movement, which has seen air travel cancelled across the British Isles, is particularly hazardous to aircraft engines.
06 May 2010
Irish 'Cannot Afford' Ash Compensation
The Dublin Transport Minister has said that the country cannot afford to compensate ash-hit airlines for their losses. Noel Dempsey told the Irish parliament that his Government could not afford to provide aid or compensation for the aviation industry following disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano.
05 May 2010
Flights 'Up In The Air' Again
There's continued disruption in the skies above Ireland today. The latest news is that most flights to and from Northern Ireland airports have been cancelled until midnight, as the risk of volcanic ash continues to disrupt travel.
04 May 2010
Ash Threat Causes Fresh Disruption
More flights have been grounded in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and parts of Scotland following a new threat from volcanic ash. Ash is drifting from the same Icelandic volcano that disrupted travel in April with services to and from Northern Ireland and the Republic were canceled from 7am.