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Ash air chaos enters a fifth day Ash air chaos enters a fifth day
(10 minutes later)
EU transport ministers are to hold emergency talks to ease the paralysis of air travel in Europe caused by the volcanic cloud. EU transport ministers are to hold emergency talks later to ease the paralysis of air travel in Europe caused by the volcanic cloud.
It comes as most flights to and from Northern Ireland were cancelled for a fifth day because of the threat posed.It comes as most flights to and from Northern Ireland were cancelled for a fifth day because of the threat posed.
Thousands of passengers remain stranded with planes grounded across Europe.Thousands of passengers remain stranded with planes grounded across Europe.
Air traffic control body Nats has extended restrictions in UK airspace until 1900 BST on Monday. Irish airspace is closed until lunchtime.Air traffic control body Nats has extended restrictions in UK airspace until 1900 BST on Monday. Irish airspace is closed until lunchtime.
More than 6.8m passengers have been affected so far and 63,000 flights have been cancelled since Thursday.More than 6.8m passengers have been affected so far and 63,000 flights have been cancelled since Thursday.
According to the Association of British Travel Agents, about 150,000 people are still stranded.According to the Association of British Travel Agents, about 150,000 people are still stranded.
EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "We cannot just wait until this ash cloud dissipates."EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "We cannot just wait until this ash cloud dissipates."
There has been a suggestion that Spain could be used as a route for bringing home British travellers.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has discussed the idea in a phone call to his Spanish counterpart. The Government's emergency committee, Cobra, will be meeting later.
Senior EU officials have expressed hope that up to half of flights will be able to operate today.
Airports and airlines have questioned the need for curbs said to be costing airlines alone $200m (£130m) a day.Airports and airlines have questioned the need for curbs said to be costing airlines alone $200m (£130m) a day.
COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Bulgaria (Sofia and Plovdiv open)France (southern airports open)Italy (northern airspace expected to reopen from 0500 GMT Monday)Norway (most airports open)Poland (several airports, including Warsaw, open)Sweden (northern airports open) Flights operating: Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain Live updates on cloud In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closuresCOUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, UK Partial closures: Bulgaria (Sofia and Plovdiv open)France (southern airports open)Italy (northern airspace expected to reopen from 0500 GMT Monday)Norway (most airports open)Poland (several airports, including Warsaw, open)Sweden (northern airports open) Flights operating: Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain Live updates on cloud In pictures: Europe grounded Economic impact of closures
Two groups representing European airport operators and airlines have demanded "an immediate reassessment of flight restrictions".
British Airways is among several airlines which have now carried out test flights without incident.
However, a Met Office plane did encounter dangerous levels of ash.
Nats said Met Office forecasts showed the ash cloud progressively covering the whole of the UK.Nats said Met Office forecasts showed the ash cloud progressively covering the whole of the UK.
"Anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport," it added."Anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport," it added.
The Irish Aviation Authority said: "Met experts are predicting that the prevailing weather conditions will continue in the coming days. Ongoing restrictions are therefore likely."The Irish Aviation Authority said: "Met experts are predicting that the prevailing weather conditions will continue in the coming days. Ongoing restrictions are therefore likely."
Restrictions were lifted in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday evening but were reapplied within hours.Restrictions were lifted in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday evening but were reapplied within hours.
Airspace remains closed, or partially closed, in more than 20 countries.Airspace remains closed, or partially closed, in more than 20 countries.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called a top-level ministerial meeting to discuss the situation.
'Bizarre''Bizarre'
Belfast International Airport spokesman Uel Hoey said: "We are at the end of a long line and the authorities and experts need to decide when it is safe to fly."Belfast International Airport spokesman Uel Hoey said: "We are at the end of a long line and the authorities and experts need to decide when it is safe to fly."
He said a few people had turned up at the airport, hopeful that they might get their flights.He said a few people had turned up at the airport, hopeful that they might get their flights.
The atmosphere was "surreal", he said.The atmosphere was "surreal", he said.
"The ironic thing is that since Thursday the airport has remained open to facilitate flights but obviously those flights depend on having safe and conducive conditions for the aircraft to operate so we are very much at the end of the chain," he said."The ironic thing is that since Thursday the airport has remained open to facilitate flights but obviously those flights depend on having safe and conducive conditions for the aircraft to operate so we are very much at the end of the chain," he said.
"The thing in this particular circumstance is while it is extremely bizarre, the frustration is limited with people and they are fairly philosophical because there is an understanding the problem is beyond anyone's real control.""The thing in this particular circumstance is while it is extremely bizarre, the frustration is limited with people and they are fairly philosophical because there is an understanding the problem is beyond anyone's real control."
Katie Best of Belfast City Airport said staff were on hand to deal with enquiries and help people make alternative arrangements.Katie Best of Belfast City Airport said staff were on hand to deal with enquiries and help people make alternative arrangements.
Icelandic Met Office's Matthew Roberts: 'The ash cloud reached 8km high'Icelandic Met Office's Matthew Roberts: 'The ash cloud reached 8km high'
"We have staff on the gates at the airport here so people are given an update and told that nothing is flying and that they can make their onward journey from there as appropriate," she said."We have staff on the gates at the airport here so people are given an update and told that nothing is flying and that they can make their onward journey from there as appropriate," she said.
Flybe has cancelled all flights due to operate on Sunday and Monday and it has asked passengers not to go to George Best Belfast City Airport.Flybe has cancelled all flights due to operate on Sunday and Monday and it has asked passengers not to go to George Best Belfast City Airport.
It said a decision would be taken with regard to Tuesday's schedule by 1000 BST on Monday and passengers are advised to check the airline's website.It said a decision would be taken with regard to Tuesday's schedule by 1000 BST on Monday and passengers are advised to check the airline's website.
Aer Lingus said its UK, European and US flights scheduled to depart on Monday have been cancelled. This includes Aer Lingus regional flights.Aer Lingus said its UK, European and US flights scheduled to depart on Monday have been cancelled. This includes Aer Lingus regional flights.
Ryanair has cancelled all scheduled flights to and from the UK and Ireland until 1300 BST on Wednesday.Ryanair has cancelled all scheduled flights to and from the UK and Ireland until 1300 BST on Wednesday.
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.
ExpertsExperts
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.
"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.
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.
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.