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24/05/2011
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.
Even US President Barack Obama was taking no chances and has cut short his visit to the Irish Republic over fears the ash plume could prevent his state visit to the UK that started today.
Mr Obama travelled to London 12 hours ahead of schedule and stayed overnight in the capital instead of in Dublin.
The disruption is due to the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland, which erupted at the weekend.
At Belfast International Airport, Easyjet have cancelled all flights to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Jet2 flights to Leeds-Bradford have also been affected.
The Met Office is forecasting that the ash cloud will continue to affect parts of the UK between 7pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday morning.
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, new arrangements put in place since last year's volcanic ash cloud will ensure high levels of public safety while helping to limit any disruption.
Two Loganair flights between Belfast City Airport and Dundee have been grounded.
Meanwhile, airline Aer Arann has cancelled flights between the City of Derry Airport and Dublin.
Aer Lingus flights between Shannon, Dublin and Cork and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen have also been cancelled but Ryanair has objected to an order from Irish officials to ground its morning flights to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen on safety grounds.
All local airports have advised commuters to contact their airline before travelling to their departure point.
The arrival of the Icelandic ash cloud comes one year after a similar eruption from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused widespread disruption across the UK and Europe.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said ash levels would be graded as low, medium or high, and airlines would be notified if levels reached medium or high.
Airlines would then consider whether to fly, according to risk assessments already carried out, the CAA added.
The European air traffic agency says up to 500 commercial flights in Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of Scandinavia may be cancelled because of the spread of volcanic ash.
There are just over 30,000 flights within Europe on average every day at this time of the year.
(BMcC/GK)
Even US President Barack Obama was taking no chances and has cut short his visit to the Irish Republic over fears the ash plume could prevent his state visit to the UK that started today.
Mr Obama travelled to London 12 hours ahead of schedule and stayed overnight in the capital instead of in Dublin.
The disruption is due to the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland, which erupted at the weekend.
At Belfast International Airport, Easyjet have cancelled all flights to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Jet2 flights to Leeds-Bradford have also been affected.
The Met Office is forecasting that the ash cloud will continue to affect parts of the UK between 7pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday morning.
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, new arrangements put in place since last year's volcanic ash cloud will ensure high levels of public safety while helping to limit any disruption.
Two Loganair flights between Belfast City Airport and Dundee have been grounded.
Meanwhile, airline Aer Arann has cancelled flights between the City of Derry Airport and Dublin.
Aer Lingus flights between Shannon, Dublin and Cork and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen have also been cancelled but Ryanair has objected to an order from Irish officials to ground its morning flights to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen on safety grounds.
All local airports have advised commuters to contact their airline before travelling to their departure point.
The arrival of the Icelandic ash cloud comes one year after a similar eruption from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused widespread disruption across the UK and Europe.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said ash levels would be graded as low, medium or high, and airlines would be notified if levels reached medium or high.
Airlines would then consider whether to fly, according to risk assessments already carried out, the CAA added.
The European air traffic agency says up to 500 commercial flights in Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of Scandinavia may be cancelled because of the spread of volcanic ash.
There are just over 30,000 flights within Europe on average every day at this time of the year.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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10 May 2010
Ryanair Admits Belfast Engines Hit By Ash
Airspace problems over the weekend have now 'cleared' sufficiently to allow all Irish airports to be reopened this morning after a weekend of travel disruption. However, Ryanair has since admitted that volcanic ash has been found in the engines of two of its aircraft at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Ryanair Admits Belfast Engines Hit By Ash
Airspace problems over the weekend have now 'cleared' sufficiently to allow all Irish airports to be reopened this morning after a weekend of travel disruption. However, Ryanair has since admitted that volcanic ash has been found in the engines of two of its aircraft at George Best Belfast City Airport.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
