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20/04/2010
Airports Stay Closed Amid New Ash Cloud
Air passengers have been braced for further delays after warnings that a "new ash cloud" was spreading towards the UK as the volcano eruption in Iceland "strengthened".
Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days. But the emergence of a new ash cloud has meant plans to reopen British airspace have been revised.
The Met Office is reporting a further ash cloud that is coming down from Iceland and then covering the UK progressively during the day.
Jonathan Astill, of the traffic control body Nats, said the new ash cloud was a "significant change" to the situation on Monday and the "situation is variable".
He predicted that airspace over the main London airports, including Heathrow, was not expected to be open by 1pm.
Earlier, British Airways announced it would aim to resume some flights from London's airports from 7pm on Tuesday. But in light of last night's update from Nats, a BA spokesman said it was "reviewing" its schedule.
Although Scottish airspace is open, most of the flights are to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.
Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not to travel to airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.
A small number of flights have taken off in northern Europe with planes departing from Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt - although many flights have been cancelled.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said airports were "taking advantage of the window of opportunity" as the impact of the volcano ash cloud temporarily lessened, but stressed that passenger safety would remain "paramount".
He added: "In the meantime I think it's important that everybody knows that if they can get to a Channel port we can get them across from Europe to the United Kingdom."
(LB/GK)
Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days. But the emergence of a new ash cloud has meant plans to reopen British airspace have been revised.
The Met Office is reporting a further ash cloud that is coming down from Iceland and then covering the UK progressively during the day.
Jonathan Astill, of the traffic control body Nats, said the new ash cloud was a "significant change" to the situation on Monday and the "situation is variable".
He predicted that airspace over the main London airports, including Heathrow, was not expected to be open by 1pm.
Earlier, British Airways announced it would aim to resume some flights from London's airports from 7pm on Tuesday. But in light of last night's update from Nats, a BA spokesman said it was "reviewing" its schedule.
Although Scottish airspace is open, most of the flights are to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.
Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not to travel to airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.
A small number of flights have taken off in northern Europe with planes departing from Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt - although many flights have been cancelled.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said airports were "taking advantage of the window of opportunity" as the impact of the volcano ash cloud temporarily lessened, but stressed that passenger safety would remain "paramount".
He added: "In the meantime I think it's important that everybody knows that if they can get to a Channel port we can get them across from Europe to the United Kingdom."
(LB/GK)
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09 May 2013
easyJet To Conduct Ash Cloud Experiment
Luton-based airline easyJet has flown a tonne of volcanic ash from Iceland as part of an experiment to test an aircraft warning system. The volcanic ash was collected by the Institute of Earth Sciences in Reykjavik and dried to create the consistency of fine talc. It will be used in a "unique experiment" which is planned for this summer.
easyJet To Conduct Ash Cloud Experiment
Luton-based airline easyJet has flown a tonne of volcanic ash from Iceland as part of an experiment to test an aircraft warning system. The volcanic ash was collected by the Institute of Earth Sciences in Reykjavik and dried to create the consistency of fine talc. It will be used in a "unique experiment" which is planned for this summer.
26 May 2011
Flight Disruption Eases Off - 'Weekend Clear'
The volcano Grimsvötn has currently paused its eruptions and the Met Office modelling indicates that significant disruption between now and the end of the weekend is unlikely, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said.
Flight Disruption Eases Off - 'Weekend Clear'
The volcano Grimsvötn has currently paused its eruptions and the Met Office modelling indicates that significant disruption between now and the end of the weekend is unlikely, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said.
06 May 2010
UK Airports Open But How Long Will It Last?
Airports across the UK have reopened after the latest disruption to airspace caused by volcanic ash. The ash cloud moved west overnight and has cleared UK airspace, air traffic control body Nats said. Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland was shut overnight after levels of volcanic ash had made it too unsafe to fly.
UK Airports Open But How Long Will It Last?
Airports across the UK have reopened after the latest disruption to airspace caused by volcanic ash. The ash cloud moved west overnight and has cleared UK airspace, air traffic control body Nats said. Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland was shut overnight after levels of volcanic ash had made it too unsafe to fly.
11 May 2010
Flight Disruption Continues To Hit Travellers
There was limited volcanic ash disruption to flights to and from the UK today. Scores of UK air passengers are still facing further delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has halted many European flights. Flights to and from parts of Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands have been affected after the countries closed their airspace.
Flight Disruption Continues To Hit Travellers
There was limited volcanic ash disruption to flights to and from the UK today. Scores of UK air passengers are still facing further delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has halted many European flights. Flights to and from parts of Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands have been affected after the countries closed their airspace.
25 May 2011
Disruption Over Eruption Calms
Flights across the UK have got underway again after an ash cloud from the erupting Icelandic volcano caused travel disruption. Thousands of passengers were affected by the rising ash cloud yesterday after an air traffic control company reported ash in UK airspace.
Disruption Over Eruption Calms
Flights across the UK have got underway again after an ash cloud from the erupting Icelandic volcano caused travel disruption. Thousands of passengers were affected by the rising ash cloud yesterday after an air traffic control company reported ash in UK airspace.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains mainly dry overnight with a touch of frost or fog patches possible in places. However, cloud is expected to increase towards dawn with the odd light shower. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
