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Irish flights could be grounded Ash cloud closes Irish airspace
(10 minutes later)
The Irish Aviation Authority has said it may have to impose a no fly zone over the Republic on Tuesday due to the volcanic ash cloud drifting south. 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 alert was based on current information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC). The IAA said the restrictions will be in place until at least 1300 BST.
The VAAC will update the IAA at 2100 BST and a decison on reinstating the flight ban will be taken after that. The aviation authourity said over-flights of Irish airspace from the UK and Europe will not be affected.
Irish carrier Aer Arann has cancelled its flights on Monday from Dublin to City of Derry and Donegal airports. 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 UK's air traffic control body Nats is liaising with the Met office and expect to have more information at around 2100 BST. The IAA said the decision was based on information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC).
A Nats spokesperson said so far there are no restrictions over UK airspace including Northern Ireland. The no fly zone will affect Dublin, Shannon Galway, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Donegal, Cork and Kerry.
Flights from the UK and Europe are not expected to be impacted on Tuesday. However flights originating from Irish and Northern Irish airports may be affected. 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.
"At the moment we have a slither of denser ash over the midlands and if this continues for the next number of hours we have no option, based on the new regime imposed in Europe last week, except to impose a no-fly zone and a 60-mile buffer zone which would effectively close Shannon and Dublin airports."
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.