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Flights grounded by new ash risk Flights grounded by new ash risk
(about 1 hour later)
All flights in and out of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are to be grounded from 0700 BST because of fresh risks from volcanic ash. All flights in and out of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been grounded from 0700 BST because of fresh risks from volcanic ash.
Airspace over the Outer Hebrides in Scotland is already closed, affecting operations from Stornoway, Tiree, Barra and Benbecula. Airspace over the Outer Hebrides in Scotland were closed earlier, affecting operations from Stornoway, Tiree, Barra and Benbecula.
Flights in the rest of the UK are operating as normal.Flights in the rest of the UK are operating as normal.
An ash plume is drifting south from the same Icelandic volcano that wreaked havoc to European air travel in April.An ash plume is drifting south from the same Icelandic volcano that wreaked havoc to European air travel in April.
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.
Last week a spokeswoman for EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said that had there been more co-ordination at EU level, air traffic could have resumed up to three days earlier.
In the Irish Republic, aviation authorities have re-imposed a ban from 0700 to 1300 BST (0600-1200 GMT) on Tuesday.In the Irish Republic, aviation authorities have re-imposed a ban from 0700 to 1300 BST (0600-1200 GMT) on Tuesday.
We are quite optimistic that it will dissipate Eamon Brennan, IAA chief executive Ash cloud alert for Scottish routes All Northern Ireland airspace closed EU to discuss ash crisis lessonsWe are quite optimistic that it will dissipate Eamon Brennan, IAA chief executive Ash cloud alert for Scottish routes All Northern Ireland airspace closed EU to discuss ash crisis lessons
The IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) said flights from the UK and continental Europe flying across the airspace would not be affected.The IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) said flights from the UK and continental Europe flying across the airspace would not be affected.
And in the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority said all Northern Ireland airspace would be closed from 0700 BST.And in the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority said all Northern Ireland airspace would be closed from 0700 BST.
Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports will all be closed until further notice.Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports will all be closed until further notice.
Earlier, the CAA closed airspace over Scotland's Outer Hebrides from 1800 BST on Monday, disrupting flights to and from Barra and Benbecula.Earlier, the CAA closed airspace over Scotland's Outer Hebrides from 1800 BST on Monday, disrupting flights to and from Barra and Benbecula.
In a statement, the CAA said the decision followed consultation with the UK Met Office and Nats, the air traffic control service.In a statement, the CAA said the decision followed consultation with the UK Met Office and Nats, the air traffic control service.
Flights in to and out of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland are all suspendedFlights in to and out of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland are all suspended
It said airspace had been closed because ash concentrations exceeded the levels agreed as safe by engine manufacturers.It said airspace had been closed because ash concentrations exceeded the levels agreed as safe by engine manufacturers.
"The CAA is closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers as latest updates are produced by the Met Office," it added."The CAA is closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers as latest updates are produced by the Met Office," it added.
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.
"We are quite optimistic that it will dissipate and we are quite optimistic for Dublin and for Shannon tomorrow afternoon but we will make a reassessment for that in the morning.""We are quite optimistic that it will dissipate and we are quite optimistic for Dublin and for Shannon tomorrow afternoon but we will make a reassessment for that in the morning."
Irish Ferries said it had space on services between Ireland and the UK as well as Ireland and France.
Hundreds of flights have been affected:Hundreds of flights have been affected:
  • All Aer Lingus flights to and from Dublin, Cork Shannon and Belfast airports to the UK and Europe scheduled before 1300 have been cancelled. Most transatlantic flights will operate.
  • All Ryanair flights into and out of the Irish Republic and Belfast in Northern Ireland until 1400 have been cancelled
  • Aer Arann services to and from Derry and Donegal airports were cancelled on Monday night
  • EasyJet warned flights departing from Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday could face disruption
  • BAA, which operates six UK airports including Heathrow, Stansted and Glasgow, is advising passengers heading for Ireland to contact their airlines for advice.
  • All Aer Lingus flights to and from Dublin, Cork Shannon and Belfast airports to the UK and Europe scheduled before 1300 have been cancelled. Most transatlantic flights will operate.
  • All Ryanair flights into and out of the Irish Republic and Belfast in Northern Ireland until 1400 have been cancelled
  • Aer Arann services to and from Derry and Donegal airports were cancelled on Monday night
  • EasyJet warned flights departing from Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday could face disruption
  • BAA, which operates six UK airports including Heathrow, Stansted and Glasgow, is advising passengers heading for Ireland to contact their airlines for advice.
Will your travel plans be affected by the re-imposed flight bans? Send us your comments using the form below.Will your travel plans be affected by the re-imposed flight bans? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions