05/05/2010

Greek Strike Adds To Ash Flight Disruption

The UK faces renewed flight disruption today following a fresh risk from the Icelandic ash cloud - while a strike in Greece is to add further to the chaos.

Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland is shut again today after levels of volcanic ash has made it too unsafe to fly.

Airports in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland closed from 7am and Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry airports are likely to be closed all day.

Meanwhile there are plans to shut Inverness in the morning only, and Belfast in the afternoon.

Air passengers have been advised to check with airports before travelling and warned the situation was changeable.

Ash spewing from Iceland's volcano Eyjafjallajokull has increased in density over British skies, experts said.

"The forecasts also show the ash cloud will continue to move south, potentially affecting airports in the north-west of England and north Wales," said a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority.

Last month, ash from the same volcano closed European airspace, causing travel misery for hundreds of thousands of stranded passengers.

Yesterday morning, it brought further problems when flights to and from Ireland and Northern Ireland were delayed for hours, resuming at 1pm.

Aer Lingus suspended all Irish services to Britain and Europe, while easyJet axed about 20 flights to and from Belfast. Ryanair added extra flights to its schedule to cope with the backlog.

Disruption also continued in parts of northern Scotland yesterday morning after the skies were declared a 'no-fly' zone on Monday.

Meanwhile, a 24-hour general strike in Greece is set to cause further disruption to air travellers.

EasyJet has cancelled all flights to and from Greek airports until 10pm tonight, while British Airways has axed three flights.

(LB/BMcC)

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