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| NI flights halted over ash threat | NI flights halted over ash threat |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| All flights in and out of Northern Ireland's airports have been cancelled indefinitely. | All flights in and out of Northern Ireland's airports have been cancelled indefinitely. |
| It follows a volcanic eruption in Iceland which sent out a huge cloud of ash which can damage aeroplane engines. | It follows a volcanic eruption in Iceland which sent out a huge cloud of ash which can damage aeroplane engines. |
| The Air Traffic Control Service, Nats, said no flights will be allowed into UK airspace from 1200 until at least 1800 BST on Thursday, subject to further review. | The Air Traffic Control Service, Nats, said no flights will be allowed into UK airspace from 1200 until at least 1800 BST on Thursday, subject to further review. |
| Flights have also been cancelled at all airports in the Republic of Ireland. | Flights have also been cancelled at all airports in the Republic of Ireland. |
| Aer Lingus said it had been advised by the Irish Aviation Authority that Irish airspace would be closed from 1200 to 2000 BST on Thursday. | Aer Lingus said it had been advised by the Irish Aviation Authority that Irish airspace would be closed from 1200 to 2000 BST on Thursday. |
| Air safety body Eurocontrol said up to 4,000 flights across northern Europe had so far been affected by the cloud. | Air safety body Eurocontrol said up to 4,000 flights across northern Europe had so far been affected by the cloud. |
| Ryanair said that cancellations and delays were likely to continue into Friday and that passengers should monitor information on their website. | Ryanair said that cancellations and delays were likely to continue into Friday and that passengers should monitor information on their website. |
| British Airways flights and BMI flights have also been cancelled until Friday. | British Airways flights and BMI flights have also been cancelled until Friday. |
| 'Disappointed' | 'Disappointed' |
| George Best Belfast City Airport spokesman Mark Beattie said: "If the circumstances change, we're ready for business but at this stage it doesn't look too promising. | George Best Belfast City Airport spokesman Mark Beattie said: "If the circumstances change, we're ready for business but at this stage it doesn't look too promising. |
| VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD The eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area is the second to occur in a monthThis eruption has released ash to significantly greater heightsVolcanic ash contains tiny particles of rock and even glass, which can wreak havoc with machineryA 1982 BA flight unknowingly flew into an ash cloud, shutting down all four engines Animated guide: Volcanoes BBC travel news Eruption site webcam | VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD The eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area is the second to occur in a monthThis eruption has released ash to significantly greater heightsVolcanic ash contains tiny particles of rock and even glass, which can wreak havoc with machineryA 1982 BA flight unknowingly flew into an ash cloud, shutting down all four engines Animated guide: Volcanoes BBC travel news Eruption site webcam |
| "We realise people travelling on holiday will be disappointed but it's beyond our control." | "We realise people travelling on holiday will be disappointed but it's beyond our control." |
| A Belfast International Airport spokesperson said: "While Belfast International Airport remains operational, Nats has announced a prohibition on all flights within UK airspace. That means all flights have effectively been cancelled until further notice." | A Belfast International Airport spokesperson said: "While Belfast International Airport remains operational, Nats has announced a prohibition on all flights within UK airspace. That means all flights have effectively been cancelled until further notice." |
| The Ulster Rugby squad are among those who have been affected by the closures. They were due to fly to Glasgow on Thursday afternoon but are now hoping to travel by ferry. | The Ulster Rugby squad are among those who have been affected by the closures. They were due to fly to Glasgow on Thursday afternoon but are now hoping to travel by ferry. |
| Cautious | Cautious |
| Nats said the decision to restrict flights had been made after advice from the Met Office as volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines. | Nats said the decision to restrict flights had been made after advice from the Met Office as volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines. |
| The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in the country in less than a month. | The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in the country in less than a month. |
| The ash cloud has been moving south, and forecasters believe the ash could take a number of days to disperse. | The ash cloud has been moving south, and 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 Faroes 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." |
| There was a nearly identical incident on 15 December 1989 when KLM Flight 867, a B747-400 from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska, flew into the plume of the erupting Mount Redoubt, causing all four engines to fail. | There was a nearly identical incident on 15 December 1989 when KLM Flight 867, a B747-400 from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska, flew into the plume of the erupting Mount Redoubt, causing all four engines to fail. |
| Once the flight cleared the ash cloud, the crew was able to restart each engine and then make a safe landing at Anchorage, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. | Once the flight cleared the ash cloud, the crew was able to restart each engine and then make a safe landing at Anchorage, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. |
| Nats has confirmed that today's closure of UK airspace is unprecedented. | Nats has confirmed that today's closure of UK airspace is unprecedented. |
| After the 9-11 attacks in America, transatlantic flights were suspended and the airspace over London alone was closed, but this is the first time all flights into and out of the UK have been grounded | After the 9-11 attacks in America, transatlantic flights were suspended and the airspace over London alone was closed, but this is the first time all flights into and out of the UK have been grounded |
Extent of Iceland volcano ash cloud | Extent of Iceland volcano ash cloudBACK{current} of {total}NEXT |