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Ash cloud closes Irish airspace | |
(10 minutes later) | |
The Irish Aviation Authority have grounded all flights in and out of the Republic from 0700 BST on Tuesday after the volcanic ash cloud drifted south. | |
The IAA said the restrictions will be in place until at least 1300 BST. | |
The aviation authourity said over-flights of Irish airspace from the UK and Europe will not be affected. | |
The UK's air traffic control body Nats said there will be no restrictions over UK airspace before 0700 BST but it will monitor the situation overnight. | |
The IAA said the decision 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. | |
Irish carriers Aer Arann and Ryanair have cancelled flights on Tuesday within the zone, with passengers advised to check with the airlines before travelling. | |
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. |