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NI flights halted over ash threat NI flights halted over ash threat
(about 1 hour later)
Passengers due to travel from Northern Ireland's airports face disruption because of a volcanic ash cloud.Passengers due to travel from Northern Ireland's airports face disruption because of a volcanic ash cloud.
A volcano eruption in Iceland sent the cloud of ash into the sky.A volcano eruption in Iceland sent the cloud of ash into the sky.
All flights in and out of Belfast City and City of Derry airports have been cancelled, as have the vast majority at Belfast International Airport. All flights in and out of Belfast City and City of Derry airports have been cancelled indefinitely, as have many at Belfast International Airport.
In Dublin, passengers also face delays and many flights have been cancelled. All passengers have been advised to contact their airlines prior to travel. The International said flights to southern Europe and Egypt were departing, and that it was airlines who decided if flights should be cancelled.
Belfast International Airport spokesman Uel Hoey said a number of flights to southern Europe and Egypt were departing as scheduled. In Dublin, passengers also face delays and flights have been cancelled.
"It's the airlines' choice at the moment whether to cancel flights, and our advice to passengers would be to check with your airline before coming to the airport - this is fairly unprecedented," he said. 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.
Ryanair said that cancellations and delays were likely to continue into Friday and that passengers should monitor information on their website.
'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.
"Subject to confirmation, the disruption could continue for the remainder of the day. We realise people travelling on holiday will be disappointed but it's beyond our control.""Subject to confirmation, the disruption could continue for the remainder of the day. We realise people travelling on holiday will be disappointed but it's beyond our control."
The Air Traffic Control Service, NATS, said the decision to restrict flights had been made after advice from the Met Office as volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines.The Air Traffic Control Service, 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."
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."