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NI flights resume after ash alert | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Flights to and from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have resumed after airspace was closed due to volcanic ash drifting from Iceland. | |
Flights were grounded from 0700 BST over predictions ash would exceed acceptable levels for jet engines. | Flights were grounded from 0700 BST over predictions ash would exceed acceptable levels for jet engines. |
However, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Irish Aviation Authority said services could resume at 1300 BST. | However, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Irish Aviation Authority said services could resume at 1300 BST. |
Flights from the UK and continental Europe flying across the airspace were not affected. | Flights from the UK and continental Europe flying across the airspace were not affected. |
The situation remains changeable and passengers are being advised to check with their airlines. | |
The Civil Aviation Authority said it had been closely monitoring the situation and was taking advice from the Met Office. | |
'Frustrating' | 'Frustrating' |
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Belfast City Airport operations director Mark Beattie said it was "a hugely frustrating time for everyone". | Speaking on Tuesday morning, 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. |
Drift | Drift |
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 came as European Union transport ministers met in Brussels to discuss ways to improve air traffic management in the wake of last month's events. |