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Ash cloud closes all NI airspace Ash cloud closes all NI airspace
(10 minutes later)
Northern Ireland airspace is closed until at least 1300 BST on Tuesday due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland, the Civil Aviation Authority has said. NI airspace is closed until at least 1300 BST on Tuesday due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.
Flights are grounded at Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports.Flights are grounded at Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports.
Ash levels from a volcano in Iceland were predicted to exceed acceptable levels for jet engines.Ash levels from a volcano in Iceland were predicted to exceed acceptable levels for jet engines.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) also grounded flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday.The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) also grounded flights to and from the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday.
The IAA said the restrictions on Irish airpsace would be in place until at least 1300 BST. The IAA said the restrictions on Irish airspace would be in place until at least 1300 BST.
Air passengers expecting to travel to or from any of the affected airports are advised to contact the airport or their airlines for more information.Air passengers expecting to travel to or from any of the affected airports are advised to contact the airport or their airlines for more information.
The British CAA said they were closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers on Tuesday morning following the latest updates from the Met Office.The British CAA said they were closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers on Tuesday morning following the latest updates from the Met Office.
Changing
BBC Northern Ireland weather presenter Barra Best said current Met Office charts were showing a high concentration of volcanic ash hanging over Northern Ireland.
"It should become thinner by lunchtime and hopefully clear away altogether by this evening," he added.
"It is a constantly changing situation though and the Met Office is monitoring the volcanic ash, with NATS (National Air Traffic Services) and the CAA keeping you up to date on any changes."
Airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations on Monday at 1800 BST following advice 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 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.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.
IAA chief executive Eamon Brennan said he was hopeful the flight restrictions could be eased later on Tuesday.IAA chief executive Eamon Brennan said he was hopeful the flight restrictions could be eased later on Tuesday.
Flights over Europe were banned for six days last month because of fears of the effect of volcanic ash on plane engines.Flights over Europe were banned for six days last month because of fears of the effect of volcanic ash on plane engines.
The decision to lift the restrictions followed safety tests that showed the engines could cope in areas of low density ash.The decision to lift the restrictions followed safety tests that showed the engines could cope in areas of low density ash.
The fresh disruption comes as European Union transport ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss ways to improve air traffic management in the wake of last month's events.The fresh disruption comes as European Union transport ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss ways to improve air traffic management in the wake of last month's events.