Ryanair Admits Belfast Engines Hit By Ash

Airspace problems over the weekend have now 'cleared' sufficiently to allow all Irish airports to be reopened this morning after a weekend of travel disruption.

However, Ryanair has since admitted that volcanic ash has been found in the engines of two of its aircraft at George Best Belfast City Airport.

This came after Four Ryanair flights to England were cancelled at the airport on Sunday, leaving dozens of passengers stranded.

Initially, the airline said the planes all had separate technical problems unrelated to the Icelandic eruption.

But after further tests on Sunday, the airline confirmed that two of its aircraft at the City airport showed small traces of ash in their engines.

A Ryanair spokesman said the planes would return to service later on Monday.

Across the border, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said all restrictions in Irish airspace have now been lifted, as winds push the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland out into the Atlantic.

But, Ryanair warned it might be forced to restrict flights in and out of Kerry airport this morning.

The airline is also planning to lay on extra flights today to the Canary Islands, following disruption to some southern European destinations over the weekend.

In NI, Belfast City and Belfast International are operating normally this morning except for the outbound and return leg to Malaga being cancelled this morning and the other south bound flight, to Faro, in Portugal also being cancelled.

However, the IAA Director of Safety Regulation Kevin Humphreys said on RTE radio this morning that the plume still extends from Greenland down into the Iberian Peninsula, around into The Azores and back into Europe.

He advised intending passengers to check with their airline for flight schedules, particularly those on transatlantic flights.

Disruption is also continuing in many mainland UK airports.

(BMcC/GK)