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Flight delays to last into Friday Flight delays to last into Friday
(about 4 hours later)
All flights into and out of Northern Ireland's airports have been cancelled until at least 0700 BST on Friday. Restrictions on UK airspace have been extended until 1300 BST on Friday, the Air Traffic Control Service has said.
It follows a volcanic eruption in Iceland which sent out a huge cloud of ash that can damage aeroplane engines. The service suggested some flights between NI and Scotland and some north Atlantic flights could go ahead.
The Air Traffic Control Service, (Nats), restricted air travel within UK airspace from 1200 BST on Thursday. But the major airlines have said they will not be operating flights into and out of NI until 1300 BST on Friday.
Nats said it will review Met Office information again at 2000 BST on Thursday and decide if air travel will be restricted beyond Friday morning. The cancellations follow a volcanic eruption in Iceland which sent out a huge cloud of ash that can damage aeroplane engines.
The Air Traffic Control Service, (Nats) restricted air travel within UK airspace from 1200 BST on Thursday.
All three main airports in Northern Ireland have been affected.All three main airports in Northern Ireland have been affected.
Airspace is also closed in the Republic of Ireland, and Scandinavia. Airspace is also closed in the Republic of Ireland and Scandinavia.
The cloud is moving south and airports in Paris and Brussels have now been closed. The cloud has moved south and airports in Paris and Brussels have been closed.
It is believed that up to 4,000 flights across northern Europe have so far been affected by the cloud.It is believed that up to 4,000 flights across northern Europe have so far been affected by the cloud.
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. The Irish Aviation Authority has said that Irish airspace will be closed until 0600 BST on Friday at the earliest.
'Not promising''Not promising'
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.
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. A spokesman for George Best Belfast City Airport said the airport building would be open from 0430 BST on Friday but there would be no flights until 1300 BST.
Flybe, Ryanair and BMI flights have been cancelled until that time.
Flybe have completely cancelled their outbound flights to Cardiff, Newcastle, Exeter and Doncaster.
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 webcamVOLCANIC 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." A Belfast International Airport spokesperson said it had cancelled about 125 flights on Thursday which affected 20,000 passengers.
A Belfast International Airport spokesperson said: "All flights into and out of Belfast International Airport have been cancelled for the remainder of the day. A spokesman said there would be no flights until 1300 BST at the earliest.
"Passengers due to travel later today are strongly urged not to make their way to the airport before contacting their relevant airline for advice and assistance." All the airports are advising passengers to check with their airlines.
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.
The thousands of passengers who are facing major disruption to their journey are unlikely to get any compensation, according to the EU's Transport Commissioner The thousands of passengers who are facing major disruption are unlikely to get any compensation, according to the EU's Transport Commissioner
However their basic rights to a refund or re-routing are unaffected.However their basic rights to a refund or re-routing are unaffected.
CautiousCautious
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 groundedAfter 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

The eruption in Iceland on Wednesday sent ash kilometres into the air. Satellite images show the cloud as brownish-black as ice particles mingle with ash.
People in the Eyjafjallajoekull area were evacuated, but the spread of the ash cloud raised concerns for air traffic controllers in nearby countries.
By 1800GMT, the whole of the UK is expected to be affected and the Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) has banned flights from UK airspace.
Meteorologists say that as the cloud spreads it will dissipate and lose intensity - but as the eruption continues, so does the ash cloud.
The situation is not expected to improve overnight as the ash cloud spreads. It is unclear when flights will be allowed to resume.
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Extent of Iceland volcano ash cloud

The eruption in Iceland on Wednesday sent ash kilometres into the air. Satellite images show the cloud as brownish-black as ice particles mingle with ash.
People in the Eyjafjallajoekull area were evacuated, but the spread of the ash cloud raised concerns for air traffic controllers in nearby countries.
By 1800GMT, the whole of the UK is expected to be affected and the Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) has banned flights from UK airspace.
Meteorologists say that as the cloud spreads it will dissipate and lose intensity - but as the eruption continues, so does the ash cloud.
The situation is not expected to improve overnight as the ash cloud spreads. It is unclear when flights will be allowed to resume.
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