Menu
20/05/2010
Met Office Continues 'Ash' Support
This week's news that flight restrictions through volcanic ash are to be eased has been followed by a promise of further help from the UK's National Weather Service.
The Met Office said that it would be supporting airlines by providing guidance to meet the new rules just announced by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
Flybe, the first airline in the UK to take advantage of the new rules, has worked closely with the Met Office, Belfast-based manufacturer Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney to enable them to keep flying safely.
Jim French, Chief Executive Officer of Flybe - which uses George Best Belfast City Airport extensively - said: "We thank the CAA and Met Office for their support in this work and look forward to working with them further to keep the UK safely on the move."
That's just as well as the latest information received from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicates that the volcano is continuing to erupt, with the ash plume reaching heights of up to around 25,000 ft.
However the ash cloud is not expected to affect UK airspace as southwesterly winds persist through much of this week.
While the volcanic activity continues, the Met Office will provide frequently updated information to CAA about the dispersion of the volcanic ash.
The Met Office provides forecasts to the industry to any tolerance of ash that is deemed safe by the aviation regulatory authorities. This advice is based on a combination of observations from satellite, research aircraft and ground-based observations along with model simulations and scientific expertise.
The Met Office regularly monitor volcanic eruptions as part of its role in the global network of nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres.
This is because ash can be dangerous for aircraft, causing damage, reducing visibility, and potentially clogging engines.
A spokesman said: "Our Environment Monitoring and Response Centre is constantly monitoring the Iceland area.
"Our first advisory was issued at 2pm on 14 April and they have subsequently been updated every six hours."
See: No-Fly Regulations To Ease Disruption
(BMCC/GK)
The Met Office said that it would be supporting airlines by providing guidance to meet the new rules just announced by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
Flybe, the first airline in the UK to take advantage of the new rules, has worked closely with the Met Office, Belfast-based manufacturer Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney to enable them to keep flying safely.
Jim French, Chief Executive Officer of Flybe - which uses George Best Belfast City Airport extensively - said: "We thank the CAA and Met Office for their support in this work and look forward to working with them further to keep the UK safely on the move."
That's just as well as the latest information received from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicates that the volcano is continuing to erupt, with the ash plume reaching heights of up to around 25,000 ft.
However the ash cloud is not expected to affect UK airspace as southwesterly winds persist through much of this week.
While the volcanic activity continues, the Met Office will provide frequently updated information to CAA about the dispersion of the volcanic ash.
The Met Office provides forecasts to the industry to any tolerance of ash that is deemed safe by the aviation regulatory authorities. This advice is based on a combination of observations from satellite, research aircraft and ground-based observations along with model simulations and scientific expertise.
The Met Office regularly monitor volcanic eruptions as part of its role in the global network of nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres.
This is because ash can be dangerous for aircraft, causing damage, reducing visibility, and potentially clogging engines.
A spokesman said: "Our Environment Monitoring and Response Centre is constantly monitoring the Iceland area.
"Our first advisory was issued at 2pm on 14 April and they have subsequently been updated every six hours."
See: No-Fly Regulations To Ease Disruption
(BMCC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 May 2011
Iceland Eruption Strikes NI Travel Again
For the second time in a year, volcanic ash from a far-away Iceland has halted flights between Northern Ireland airports and other destinations in the British Isles.
Iceland Eruption Strikes NI Travel Again
For the second time in a year, volcanic ash from a far-away Iceland has halted flights between Northern Ireland airports and other destinations in the British Isles.
17 May 2010
No Fly Zone For NI Partially Lifted
There were no flights in or out of NI airports again this morning. However, as flight restrictions caused by the return of the volcanic ash cloud were due to lift at 1pm at Belfast International airport, it emerged that restrictions will remain in place at George Best Belfast City and City of Derry airports until 7pm on Monday.
No Fly Zone For NI Partially Lifted
There were no flights in or out of NI airports again this morning. However, as flight restrictions caused by the return of the volcanic ash cloud were due to lift at 1pm at Belfast International airport, it emerged that restrictions will remain in place at George Best Belfast City and City of Derry airports until 7pm on Monday.
20 April 2010
Airspace Closes Again After Brief Respite
On day six of the big flight shut-down, there's conflicting news of further volcanic ash cloud spreading towards the UK - with on-the-spot reports on BBC Radio Ulster that the Icelandic volcano at the heart of the storm has since moderated its activity.
Airspace Closes Again After Brief Respite
On day six of the big flight shut-down, there's conflicting news of further volcanic ash cloud spreading towards the UK - with on-the-spot reports on BBC Radio Ulster that the Icelandic volcano at the heart of the storm has since moderated its activity.
10 July 2013
All-Ireland Ash Dieback Strategy Confirmed
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed on an all-island strategy to combat ash dieback disease. Agriculture Ministers Michelle O’Neill and Tom Hayes have finalised a strategy to to prevent Chalara ash dieback disease becoming established in Ireland.
All-Ireland Ash Dieback Strategy Confirmed
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed on an all-island strategy to combat ash dieback disease. Agriculture Ministers Michelle O’Neill and Tom Hayes have finalised a strategy to to prevent Chalara ash dieback disease becoming established in Ireland.
05 November 2012
Ireland Steps Up Ash Dieback Campaign
Forestry Minister Michelle O’Neill’s 'Fortress Ireland' approach to the ash dieback problem affecting the UK is to step up its campaign. She is currently working with Dáil Forestry Minister Shane McEntee to prevent the fungal disease from reaching Ireland.
Ireland Steps Up Ash Dieback Campaign
Forestry Minister Michelle O’Neill’s 'Fortress Ireland' approach to the ash dieback problem affecting the UK is to step up its campaign. She is currently working with Dáil Forestry Minister Shane McEntee to prevent the fungal disease from reaching Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
