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Ash causes more flight disruption Ash causes more flight disruption
(10 minutes later)
Restrictions on UK airspace have been extended until 0100 BST on Sunday, as the danger to planes from volcanic ash from Iceland persists.Restrictions on UK airspace have been extended until 0100 BST on Sunday, as the danger to planes from volcanic ash from Iceland persists.
The UK's National Air Traffic Service (Nats) said the ash cloud was "moving around and changing shape".The UK's National Air Traffic Service (Nats) said the ash cloud was "moving around and changing shape".
Some domestic flights may be able to take off from Scotland and Northern Ireland if the cloud "moves sufficiently", it added.Some domestic flights may be able to take off from Scotland and Northern Ireland if the cloud "moves sufficiently", it added.
Officials warn that European airspace could be disrupted for several days.Officials warn that European airspace could be disrupted for several days.
This opinion was echoed by Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office.This opinion was echoed by Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office.
He told the BBC: "The latest information we have suggests the ash will remain over the UK for several days. He told the BBC: "The latest information we have suggests the ash will remain over the UK for several days."
"We are looking at several days of serious restrictions." Prof Golding said the best possible scenario would be for the volcano to stop erupting and for wind directions over the UK to change for a "substantial time" because the ash "hangs around for several days" once it arrives from Iceland.
"We need a change of wind direction that stays changed for several days and there is not sign of that in the immediate future," he said.
As the weekend goes on there is a risk prevailing winds will keep volcanic ash in the air above parts of the UK, and may even bring it back to those parts from which it has cleared Nick MillerBBC weather forecaster Live: Volcanic cloud over EuropeAs the weekend goes on there is a risk prevailing winds will keep volcanic ash in the air above parts of the UK, and may even bring it back to those parts from which it has cleared Nick MillerBBC weather forecaster Live: Volcanic cloud over Europe
Restrictions had been lifted in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday evening but were reapplied overnight.Restrictions had been lifted in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday evening but were reapplied overnight.
Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been stranded in the UK and abroad by flight cancellations.Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been stranded in the UK and abroad by flight cancellations.
Nats said it was "most unlikely" that many flights would operate on Saturday and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport. "Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday," said Nats, adding that it was "most unlikely" that many flights would operate later.
It said anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
A further update from Nats is expected at about 1500 BST.A further update from Nats is expected at about 1500 BST.
Airport operator BAA said people hoping to fly "should remain in touch with their airlines".
"We appreciate the continued patience of passengers at this difficult time and will provide updates as often as possible," it said.
Military restrictionsMilitary restrictions
Restrictions on flights in the UK have been in place since 1200 BST on Thursday because of fears particles in the ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland could shut down plane engines.Restrictions on flights in the UK have been in place since 1200 BST on Thursday because of fears particles in the ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland could shut down plane engines.
Air travel across Europe has been severely affected, with a range of countries from Belgium to Switzerland completely closing their airspace, while others like Austria, Germany and Poland have enforced partial closures.Air travel across Europe has been severely affected, with a range of countries from Belgium to Switzerland completely closing their airspace, while others like Austria, Germany and Poland have enforced partial closures.
Unable to catch flights, many commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, which has seen people filling trains, buses and ferries.
The no-fly zone also means some world leaders might have difficulty attending the funeral of the Polish president on Sunday.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was also affected by the restrictions.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was also affected by the restrictions.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "We are under the same restrictions as everybody else, above 3,000 ft. Below 3,000 ft essential helicopter operations, such as search and rescue operations, have resumed."An MoD spokeswoman said: "We are under the same restrictions as everybody else, above 3,000 ft. Below 3,000 ft essential helicopter operations, such as search and rescue operations, have resumed."
'Significant disruption''Significant disruption'
Manchester and Liverpool airports had been offered a six-hour window - between 0400 BST and 1000 BST - in which to operate some flights, but the changing conditions meant that was later revoked.Manchester and Liverpool airports had been offered a six-hour window - between 0400 BST and 1000 BST - in which to operate some flights, but the changing conditions meant that was later revoked.
BAA said passengers due to fly should not go to its airports - Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow - but contact their airline for re-ticketing information.BAA said passengers due to fly should not go to its airports - Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow - but contact their airline for re-ticketing information.
BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said: "As the weekend goes on there is a risk that prevailing winds will keep volcanic ash in the air above parts of the UK, and may even bring it back to those parts from which it has cleared."BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said: "As the weekend goes on there is a risk that prevailing winds will keep volcanic ash in the air above parts of the UK, and may even bring it back to those parts from which it has cleared."
Icelandic Met Office's Matthew Roberts: 'The ash cloud reached 8km high' Independent Travel Editor Simon Calder: "You have the right to be looked after until they get you home"
European air traffic control organisation Eurocontrol said about 60% of flights within Europe had been grounded on Friday, representing about 17,000 services. European air traffic control organisation Eurocontrol said more than half of the normal 300 trans-Atlantic flights had also been cancelled and it warned of "significant disruption" of European air traffic on Saturday.
More than half of the normal 300 trans-Atlantic flights had also been cancelled and it warned of "significant disruption" of European air traffic on Saturday.
The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (Canso), a global association of air traffic control companies, said the knock-on effect of the cancellations so far would probably disrupt European airspace for several days.The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (Canso), a global association of air traffic control companies, said the knock-on effect of the cancellations so far would probably disrupt European airspace for several days.
"Traffic will have to be reorganised and rerouted and flights re-planned, all on a dynamic and quite unpredictable basis," it said in a statement.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Switzerland closed its airspace to aircraft flying under 11,000 metres (36,000 ft) from midnight (2200 GMT on Friday) until at least 2000 local time (1800 GMT) and Romania also closed its airspace over the north-west from 0300 local time (0000 GMT on Saturday)
  • Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe until 1300 BST on Monday. It will keep running in southern and central Europe, although flight restrictions are being imposed in Hungary and Romania
  • The Jet2.com airline cancelled all its flights on Friday and Saturday, adding additional flights for Sunday and Monday
  • P&O Ferries said it had dealt with 30,000 calls on Friday - the most it had dealt with on one day in its history. It said it would be unable to accept any further foot-passenger bookings
  • Eurostar trains reported a complete sell-out of its services to Brussels and Paris for the second day on Friday. It has warned customers without bookings not to go to London's St Pancras station because they will not be able to travel
  • German airline Lufthansa has cancelled all its flights until 2000 local German time (1900 BST)
  • Switzerland closed its airspace to aircraft flying under 11,000 metres (36,000 ft) from midnight (2200 GMT on Friday) until at least 2000 local time (1800 GMT) and Romania also closed its airspace over the north-west from 0300 local time (0000 GMT on Saturday)
  • Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from northern Europe until 1300 BST on Monday. It will keep running in southern and central Europe, although flight restrictions are being imposed in Hungary and Romania
  • The Jet2.com airline cancelled all its flights on Friday and Saturday, adding additional flights for Sunday and Monday
  • P&O Ferries said it had dealt with 30,000 calls on Friday - the most it had dealt with on one day in its history. It said it would be unable to accept any further foot-passenger bookings
  • Eurostar trains reported a complete sell-out of its services to Brussels and Paris for the second day on Friday. Its trains are fully booked until Monday.
  • German airline Lufthansa has cancelled all its flights until 2000 local German time (1900 BST)
Experts say the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud could jam aircraft engines, as has happened in previous incidents of planes flying into plumes of volcanic ash.Experts say the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud could jam aircraft engines, as has happened in previous incidents of planes flying into plumes of volcanic ash.
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological CenterELSEWHERE ON THE WEB Eruption site webcam Map of Icelandic Volcanoes: Global Volcanism Program Expert Analysis: Nordic Volcanological Center
The last eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano system that is creating the problems was on 20 March, when a 0.5km-long fissure opened up on the eastern side of the glacier at the Fimmvoerduhals Pass.The last eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano system that is creating the problems was on 20 March, when a 0.5km-long fissure opened up on the eastern side of the glacier at the Fimmvoerduhals Pass.
The eruption prior to that started in 1821 and continued intermittently for more than a year.The eruption prior to that started in 1821 and continued intermittently for more than a year.
Have you been affected by the volcanic ash cloud? Are you stranded because of the airspace restrictions? Are you in Iceland? You can send your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the volcanic ash cloud? Are you stranded because of the airspace restrictions? Are you in Iceland? You can send your experiences using the form below:
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