NI and west Scotland airports closed

Iceland Volcanic ash update 4th May 2010: NI and west Scotland airports closed. It would seem that Iceland is getting its own back, after it’s financial collapse by throwing ash at the rest of the world..

Based on the latest information from the Met Office and the CAA, NATS advises that, due to a heavy concentration of volcanic ash, a no-fly zone is in place in the west of Scotland and Northern Ireland, including some airports in the Western Isles from 0700 (local time) until at least 1300 (local time).

• The rest of the UK AIRPORTS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Apart from the no-fly zone, normal air traffic control operations are expected within Scottish and UK airspace during this period, including Scottish airports, although some regulation may be required in light of operational experience.

Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. NATS will continue to monitor the latest Met Office information and the CAA’s updates on the density of the ash cloud across the UK.

• 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.