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Ash cloud closes Irish airspace Ash cloud closes all NI airspace
(40 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. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said all Northern Ireland airspace will be closed from 0700 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. Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports will all be closed until further notice.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have grounded all flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday. Ash levels from a volcano in Iceland were predicted to exceed acceptable levels for jet engines.
The UK aviation body Nats has not announced restrictions on UK airspace, but will be monitoring the situation. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) also grounded flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday.
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. Air passengers expecting to travel to or from any of the affected airports are advised to contact the airport or their airlines to find out more information about their flights.
The British CAA said they are closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers on Tuesday morning following the latest updates from the Met Office.
Airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations on Monday at 1800 BST following advice from the Met Office.
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 body said the move 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.