Irish Flights Still Grounded After Eruption

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has declared that flights will again be halted today after a further eruption in Iceland.

The renewed blast at the Icelandic volcano at around 1pm yesterday afternoon along with the prevailing weather conditions have dashed plans to remove the restrictions in Irish airspace today.

The latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reports show Ireland at the centre of a contamination zone up to at least 1pm this afternoon.

Arrangements had been agreed by the Minister for Transport yesterday for an easing of restrictions depending on the degree of ash contamination.

However, speaking this morning a spokesman for the IAA said: "the renewed eruption means the density of volcanic ash over Irish Airspace is such that restrictions will have to continue until 1pm today at least."

However, in the UK some domestic flights are taking off as airports begin to reopen after five days without flights.

There will be no commercial flights departing Ireland prior to 1pm. An update will be provided mid-morning but the restrictions may well be continued to a later time.

The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow were among a few internal flights scheduled from Scotland.

Airlines are still reviewing their plans with Newcastle Airport running just eight of 130 scheduled flights.

Although Scottish airspace is open most of the flights are said to be to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.

The first international flight from Glasgow is due - ironically - to head for Reykjavik in Iceland at midday.

The IAA said passengers should contact their airlines' websites before travelling to the airport for flights.

A spokesman for the IAA said they would continue to monitor both volcanic activity and meteorological information.

(DW/BMcC)