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Flight ban extended into Tuesday Flight ban extended into Tuesday
(about 3 hours later)
EU transport ministers are holding emergency talks to try and ease the paralysis of air travel in Europe caused by the volcanic cloud.EU transport ministers are holding emergency talks to try and 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 0100 BST on Tuesday. Irish airspace is closed until 1800 BST.Air traffic control body Nats has extended restrictions in UK airspace until 0100 BST on Tuesday. Irish airspace is closed until 1800 BST.
The airlines are becoming increasingly critical of the way the authorities have responded since ash from a volcano in Iceland contaminated the atmosphere five days ago. However, the Irish Aviation Authority has said flight restrictions in Ireland are likely to remain in place for the next two to three days.
Government ministers are hopeful UK airspace may reopen later on Tuesday.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said Met Office reports of a "dramatic reduction in volcanic activity on Monday morning" meant it might be possible to open airspace on Tuesday if the reduction was sustained.
"If it's possible to start opening airports tomorrow, contingency plans are being put in place to get as many people through those airports as fast as possible," he told BBC News.
Isle of Man airspace reopened at 1300 BST on Monday.
Two 19-seater Manx2 airplanes are scheduled to depart to Belfast. Manx2 planes fly at a lower level to other aircrafts and have been able to operate over the weekend.
Flybe has cancelled all flights due to operate on Monday and it has asked passengers not to go to George Best Belfast City Airport.
On Monday afternoon a spokesperson for Flybe said they were hopeful some flights would be able to take off from Belfast on Tuesday, but as ever passengers should contact airlines before travelling to any airport.
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.
'Devastating'
Airlines are becoming increasingly critical of the way the authorities have responded since ash from a volcano in Iceland contaminated the atmosphere five days ago.
The airlines have said the total flight ban is misguided and is devastating their industry.The airlines have said the total flight ban is misguided and is devastating their industry.
Cancelled
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."
On Monday Gordon Brown announced that the Royal Navy will help repatriate UK travellers who have been stranded overseas as UK airspace remains restricted. On Monday Gordon Brown announced that three Royal Navy ships, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion are heading for Spain and unspecified Channel ports to rescue stranded Britons.
Three Royal Navy ships, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion are heading for Spain and unspecified Channel ports.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latestEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest
The move was announced after the UK's emergency committee Cobra met to discuss options in addressing travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud.The move was announced after the UK's emergency committee Cobra met to discuss options in addressing travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud.
The Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said his government is holding talks with ferry and shipping companies to review the capacities available to bring home Irish residents who are stranded abroad. Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said his government is holding talks with ferry and shipping companies to review the capacities available to bring home Irish residents who are stranded abroad.
Mr Cowen said that while his government did not have the sort of capacity that is available to the British authorities through the navy, discussions were taking place with shipping companies to see if additional vessels or additional capacity could be made available. Cost
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.
Senior EU officials have expressed hope that up to half of all 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".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.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.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."
Airspace remains closed, or partially closed, in more than 20 countries.Airspace remains closed, or partially closed, in more than 20 countries.
'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 the atmosphere was "surreal".
He said a few people had turned up at the airport, hopeful that they might get their flights. "The ironic thing is that since Thursday the airport has remained open to facilitate flights.
The atmosphere was "surreal", he said. "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."
"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".
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 Monday and it has asked passengers not to go to George Best Belfast City Airport.
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.
Experts
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 from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano system 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.