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Dust from volcano closes airports Dust from volcano closes airports
(10 minutes later)
All flights to and from Scotland's airports have been grounded as a plume of volcanic ash drifts across much of northern Europe.All flights to and from Scotland's airports have been grounded as a plume of volcanic ash drifts across much of northern Europe.
Dust from the eruption in Iceland presents a serious risk to aircraft.Dust from the eruption in Iceland presents a serious risk to aircraft.
Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have been shut and five EasyJet flights due to depart from Stansted Airport were cancelled.Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have been shut and five EasyJet flights due to depart from Stansted Airport were cancelled.
Search and rescue helicopters are still able to fly as long as they do not need to rely on instruments.Search and rescue helicopters are still able to fly as long as they do not need to rely on instruments.
Passengers are instructed not to travel to the Scottish airports. All arriving and departing flights are currently suspended.Passengers are instructed not to travel to the Scottish airports. All arriving and departing flights are currently suspended.
A BAA spokeswoman said: "Following advice from the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service (Nats) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the United Kingdom from Iceland.A BAA spokeswoman said: "Following advice from the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service (Nats) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the United Kingdom from Iceland.
Nats have closed parts of UK airspace and this is causing significant disruption to all airlines due to operate flights to and from the UK EasyJet spokeswomanNats have closed parts of UK airspace and this is causing significant disruption to all airlines due to operate flights to and from the UK EasyJet spokeswoman
"These measures currently affect Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports which are closed but may also affect other parts of the UK later today."These measures currently affect Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports which are closed but may also affect other parts of the UK later today.
"Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information and should expect disruption in the coming hours.""Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information and should expect disruption in the coming hours."
Airlines also issued warnings of potential disruption.Airlines also issued warnings of potential disruption.
An EasyJet spokeswoman said: "Following the eruption of a volcano in Iceland yesterday, an ash plume has entered UK and Scandinavian airspace overnight.An EasyJet spokeswoman said: "Following the eruption of a volcano in Iceland yesterday, an ash plume has entered UK and Scandinavian airspace overnight.
"As a result Nats have closed parts of UK airspace and this is causing significant disruption to all airlines due to operate flights to and from the UK today."As a result Nats have closed parts of UK airspace and this is causing significant disruption to all airlines due to operate flights to and from the UK today.
"EasyJet passengers are advised to check the website before they leave for the airport for any disruption information.""EasyJet passengers are advised to check the website before they leave for the airport for any disruption information."
The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in Iceland in less than a month.The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in Iceland in less than a month.
'Unnerving experience''Unnerving experience'
Forecasters believe the ash could take a number of days to disperse.Forecasters believe the ash could take a number of days to disperse.
Philip Avery from the Met Office said: "It is showing up on imagery at the moment, extending down as far as the Pharoahs but it looks as though the wind will drag it a good deal further south. Philip Avery from the Met Office said: "It is showing up on imagery at the moment, extending down as far as the Faroes but it looks as though the wind will drag it a good deal further south.
"Nats has good cause to be very cautious about this because in about 1982 a British Airways jumbo had the unnerving experience of having all four engines shut down as it flew through a plume of volcanic ash.""Nats has good cause to be very cautious about this because in about 1982 a British Airways jumbo had the unnerving experience of having all four engines shut down as it flew through a plume of volcanic ash."
Aviation expert Jim Ferguson told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Volcanic ash and aeroplanes do not mix.Aviation expert Jim Ferguson told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Volcanic ash and aeroplanes do not mix.
"There was at least one British Airways 747 that turned itself into the world's biggest glider when it picked up a lot of ash over Indonesia and Indonesia had not notified anyone of the problem."There was at least one British Airways 747 that turned itself into the world's biggest glider when it picked up a lot of ash over Indonesia and Indonesia had not notified anyone of the problem.
"The crew were able to eventually land the aircraft safely but there was an awful lot of people in the aviation industry thought they were headed for the water.""The crew were able to eventually land the aircraft safely but there was an awful lot of people in the aviation industry thought they were headed for the water."
A Nats spokesman said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.A Nats spokesman said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.
"Nats is working with Eurocontrol and our colleagues in Europe's other air navigation service providers to take the appropriate action to ensure safety in accordance with international aviation policy.""Nats is working with Eurocontrol and our colleagues in Europe's other air navigation service providers to take the appropriate action to ensure safety in accordance with international aviation policy."