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Ash causes more flight disruption Ash causes more flight disruption
(20 minutes later)
Restrictions on flights to and from the UK have been extended until 0100 BST on Sunday, as the danger to planes from volcanic ash from Iceland continues.Restrictions on flights to and from the UK have been extended until 0100 BST on Sunday, as the danger to planes from volcanic ash from Iceland continues.
A few domestic flights may be able to take off from Scotland and Northern Ireland if there is any improvement but most planes are grounded.A few domestic flights may be able to take off from Scotland and Northern Ireland if there is any improvement but most planes are grounded.
British Airways has cancelled all short haul flights on Sunday but is still reviewing long haul services.British Airways has cancelled all short haul flights on Sunday but is still reviewing long haul services.
Officials warn that European airspace could be disrupted for several days.Officials warn that European airspace could be disrupted for several days.
Paul Haskins, of the National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) said there was no other option: "Safety is our number one priority. We know that volcanic ash is a very hazardous substance."Paul Haskins, of the National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) said there was no other option: "Safety is our number one priority. We know that volcanic ash is a very hazardous substance."
A further update from Nats is expected at about 1500 BST.A further update from Nats is expected at about 1500 BST.
Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office said it was likely the volcanic cloud would remain over the UK for several days.Prof Brian Golding, head of forecasting research at the Met Office said it was likely the volcanic cloud would remain over the UK for several days.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternativesEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights How long will ash last? Travel alternatives
"We need a change of wind direction that stays changed for several days and there is no sign of that in the immediate future," he added."We need a change of wind direction that stays changed for several days and there is no sign of that in the immediate future," he added.
Eurocontrol the agency which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations, said it expected only 6,000 flights in European airspace on Saturday. Eurocontrol the agency which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations, said it expected only 6,000 flights in European airspace on Saturday, compared to 22,000 flights usually.
"Forecasts suggest that the cloud of volcanic ash will persist and that the impact will continue for at least the next 24 hours," it said in a statement."Forecasts suggest that the cloud of volcanic ash will persist and that the impact will continue for at least the next 24 hours," it said in a statement.
The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month.The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday when the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month.
UK-based Aaron Soni had been visiting his parents in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife and son. UK-based Aaron Soni is one of many thousands of Britons stranded by the ash cloud.
He had been visiting his parents in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife and son.
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
Mr Soni was due to return to the UK on Saturday, but was told not to bother checking with his airline until Thursday.Mr Soni was due to return to the UK on Saturday, but was told not to bother checking with his airline until Thursday.
He said his and his wife's, work commitments were "in chaos" and their son was due to return to school on Monday.He said his and his wife's, work commitments were "in chaos" and their son was due to return to school on Monday.
"It's getting expensive to pay all the bills," he said."It's getting expensive to pay all the bills," he said.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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)
Unable to catch flights, many commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, which has seen people filling trains, buses and ferries.Unable to catch flights, many commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, which has seen people filling trains, buses and ferries.
Professor Golding says the problems caused by the ash will continue for a few more days at least.Professor Golding says the problems caused by the ash will continue for a few more days at least.
The no-fly zone also means some world leaders might have difficulty attending the funeral of the Polish president on Sunday.The no-fly zone also means some world leaders might have difficulty attending the funeral of the Polish president on Sunday.
And celebrities have not been immune to the travel disruption.And celebrities have not been immune to the travel disruption.
US singer Whitney Houston had to take a car ferry from Britain to Ireland for a concert in Dublin and comedian John Cleese reportedly paid $5,100 (£3,319) for a taxi ride from Oslo to Brussels.US singer Whitney Houston had to take a car ferry from Britain to Ireland for a concert in Dublin and comedian John Cleese reportedly paid $5,100 (£3,319) for a taxi ride from Oslo to Brussels.
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."
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
Scientists in Iceland are hoping to fly above the volcano to assess how much ice has melted, now that winds have cleared visibility.Scientists in Iceland are hoping to fly above the volcano to assess how much ice has melted, now that winds have cleared visibility.
A plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high was visible on Saturday.A plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high was visible on Saturday.
A "significant quantity" of ash was contained in the column, said Dr David Rothery, of the UK Open University's earth sciences department, based on live images from webcams in Iceland.A "significant quantity" of ash was contained in the column, said Dr David Rothery, of the UK Open University's earth sciences department, based on live images from webcams in Iceland.
"The column is pulsing in height, as fresh explosions occur in the active crater. One can see curtains of ash fallout below the plume from time to time," he said."The column is pulsing in height, as fresh explosions occur in the active crater. One can see curtains of ash fallout below the plume from time to time," he said.
According to Mr Rothery, the fine ash at the top of the column is likely to be drawn into the high altitude winds, adding to the ash cloud heading southwards across the continent.According to Mr Rothery, the fine ash at the top of the column is likely to be drawn into the high altitude winds, adding to the ash cloud heading southwards across the continent.
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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