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Ash cloud closes all NI airspace NI flights to resume as ash lifts
(about 1 hour later)
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 to and from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic can resume at 1300 BST after airspace was closed due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland.
Flights are grounded at Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports. Flights were grounded from 0700 BST over predictions ash would exceed acceptable levels for jet engines.
Ash levels from a volcano in Iceland were predicted to exceed acceptable levels for jet engines. However, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Irish Aviation Authority said services could resume at 1300 BST.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said airspace in the Irish Republic would reopen at 1300 BST. Flights from the UK and continental Europe flying across the airspace were not affected.
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 have been 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 Civil Aviation Authority said it had been closely monitoring the situation and taking advice from the Met Office.
'Frustrating'
BBC Northern Ireland weather presenter Barra Best said current Met Office charts were showing a high concentration of volcanic ash hanging over Northern Ireland.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 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." Speaking on Tuesday morning, Belfast City Airport operations director Mark Beattie said it was "a hugely frustrating time for everyone".
'Frustrating'
Belfast City Airport operations director Mark Beattie said it was "a hugely frustrating time for everyone".
"The airport is still open so if things change for the better we can get back to operations almost immediately," he added."The airport is still open so if things change for the better we can get back to operations almost immediately," he added.
Stephen McNamara from Ryanair said that engine manufacturers were warning that the current concentration of ash over Ireland could be dangerous and the airline was taking no risks.Stephen McNamara from Ryanair said that engine manufacturers were warning that the current concentration of ash over Ireland could be dangerous and the airline was taking no risks.
He added that flights going over Ireland were not in danger because they travelling at a higher altitude.He added that flights going over Ireland were not in danger because they travelling at a higher altitude.
"It's the aircraft taking off which involves a lot of engine activity," Mr McNamara added."It's the aircraft taking off which involves a lot of engine activity," Mr McNamara added.
Flybe and Easyjet said they were also liaising with the authorities and were looking forward to recommencing flights as soon as possible.Flybe and Easyjet said they were also liaising with the authorities and were looking forward to recommencing flights as soon as possible.
DriftDrift
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.
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.