This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8621467.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Flight delays to last into Friday Flight delays to last into Friday
(9 minutes later)
Restrictions on UK airspace have been extended until 1300 BST on Friday, the Air Traffic Control Service has said.Restrictions on UK airspace have been extended until 1300 BST on Friday, the Air Traffic Control Service has said.
The service suggested some flights between NI and Scotland and some north Atlantic flights could go ahead.The service suggested some flights between NI and Scotland and some north Atlantic flights could go ahead.
But the major airlines have said they will not be operating flights into and out of NI until 1300 BST on Friday.But the major airlines have said they will not be operating flights into and out of NI until 1300 BST on Friday.
The cancellations follow a volcanic eruption in Iceland which sent out a huge cloud of ash that can damage aeroplane engines.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.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.
The Irish Aviation Authority has announced that it is lifting restrictions on flights to and from airports at Cork and Shannon and some of the regional airports.The Irish Aviation Authority has announced that it is lifting restrictions on flights to and from airports at Cork and Shannon and some of the regional airports.
However, as the latest reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London indicate that the ash cloud is still over the east coast, the restrictions will remain in force at Dublin airport until, at least, 1100 BST on Friday.However, as the latest reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London indicate that the ash cloud is still over the east coast, the restrictions will remain in force at Dublin airport until, at least, 1100 BST on Friday.
The cloud has moved south and airports in Paris and Brussels have 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.
Waiting game: this man missed his flights to London and on to VancouverWaiting game: this man missed his flights to London and on to Vancouver
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.
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.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, Ryanair and BMI flights have been cancelled until that time.
Flybe have completely cancelled their outbound flights to Cardiff, Newcastle, Exeter and Doncaster.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
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 it had cancelled about 125 flights on Thursday which affected 20,000 passengers.
A spokesman said there would be no flights until 1300 BST at the earliest.A spokesman said there would be no flights until 1300 BST at the earliest.
All the airports are advising passengers to check with their airlines.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 are unlikely to get any compensation, according to the EU's Transport CommissionerThe 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.
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.
Stranded: this couple were due to fly to Southampton to join a cruiseStranded: this couple were due to fly to Southampton to join a cruise
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 volcanic eruption in Iceland on Wednesday sent plumes of ash thousands of feet into the air. The cloud has since spread across the UK to Europe.
The spread of the ash cloud at 20-30,000ft raised concerns for air safety, forcing at least 12 countries to restrict or halt flights in their airspace.
The eruptions from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continue to pump out ash clouds sporadically, which means the disruption is set to continue.
Although the cloud is too high to pose a health risk, people with breathing problems have been advised to take extra care if it falls to ground level.
BACK{current} of {total}NEXT

Extent of Iceland volcano ash cloud

The volcanic eruption in Iceland on Wednesday sent plumes of ash thousands of feet into the air. The cloud has since spread across the UK to Europe.
The spread of the ash cloud at 20-30,000ft raised concerns for air safety, forcing at least 12 countries to restrict or halt flights in their airspace.
The eruptions from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano continue to pump out ash clouds sporadically, which means the disruption is set to continue.
Although the cloud is too high to pose a health risk, people with breathing problems have been advised to take extra care if it falls to ground level.
BACK{current} of {total}NEXT