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Ash cloud closes Irish airspace Ash cloud closes Irish airspace
(10 minutes later)
Ryanair flights to and from Belfast City Airport have been cancelled until 1400 BST on Tuesday due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland.Ryanair flights to and from Belfast City Airport have been cancelled until 1400 BST on Tuesday due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland.
A Belfast City airport spokesman said all other flights and airlines are operating as normal.A Belfast City airport spokesman said all other flights and airlines are operating as normal.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have grounded all flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday.The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have grounded all flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday.
The UK aviation body Nats has not announced restrictions on UK airspace, but will be monitoring the situation.The UK aviation body Nats has not announced restrictions on UK airspace, but will be monitoring the situation.
Airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations on Monday evening following advice from the Met Office.
The IAA said the restrictions on Irish airpsace would be in place until at least 1300 BST.The IAA said the restrictions on Irish airpsace would be in place until at least 1300 BST.
Ryanair also said its flights between north-west England and Dublin, Cork and Galway have also been cancelled.Ryanair also said its flights between north-west England and Dublin, Cork and Galway have also been cancelled.
The IAA said the decision to close its airspace was based on information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC).The IAA said the decision to close its airspace was based on information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC).
The no fly zone will affect Dublin, Shannon Galway, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Donegal, Cork and Kerry.The no fly zone will affect Dublin, Shannon Galway, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Donegal, Cork and Kerry.
Flights from the North West of England to Ireland have also been cancelled. Sixteen services from Manchester and Liverpool airport have been affected.Flights from the North West of England to Ireland have also been cancelled. Sixteen services from Manchester and Liverpool airport have been affected.
Irish carrier Aer Arann has cancelled flights on Tuesday within the zone, with passengers advised to check with the airlines before travelling.Irish carrier Aer Arann has cancelled flights on Tuesday within the zone, with passengers advised to check with the airlines before travelling.
Easyjet had said its services in Scotland and Northern Ireland could face disruption.Easyjet had said its services in Scotland and Northern Ireland could face disruption.
The IAA said the decision to ground aircraft was based on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north-easterly winds.The IAA said the decision to ground aircraft was based on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north-easterly winds.
Eamon Brennan, IAA chief executive, said winds have already pushed part of the volcanic ash cloud down over part of the centre of Ireland.Eamon Brennan, IAA chief executive, said winds have already pushed part of the volcanic ash cloud down over part of the centre of Ireland.
"The latest information we have is that some of the denser volcanic ash, that's the no-fly zone, is over the Donegal area and we are concerned about the north-easterly winds moving this down over the rest of the country," Mr Brennan said."The latest information we have is that some of the denser volcanic ash, that's the no-fly zone, is over the Donegal area and we are concerned about the north-easterly winds moving this down over the rest of the country," Mr Brennan said.
Flights over Europe were hit by a six-day shutdown of airspace last month over fears of the effect on jet engines of ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.Flights over Europe were hit by a six-day shutdown of airspace last month over fears of the effect on jet engines of ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.