05/05/2010

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.

An overnight U-Turn on flight cancellations has seen a small number of flights departing from Belfast City Airport this morning but this comes amid increasing confusion about the closure of airspace in NI over the risk to air travellers.

It had been thought Northern Ireland airspace would close at 7am but the advice was revised overnight.

Instead, flights at Belfast International and City Airports are to be grounded from 1pm while City of Derry Airport will be closed all day.

Passengers have been advised to check airport and airline websites.

Last month, volcanic ash clouds from Iceland grounded flights for six days.

All flights to and from Dublin airport are expected to be halted from 11am, the Irish Aviation Authority said.

On Tuesday, flights into and out of the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland and Scotland's Hebrides were suspended at the first sign of an increase of volcanic ash levels in the skies.

(BMcC/GK)

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