Volcano ash alert from Iceland hits UK flights

[White Cap]

Source. UK News

Airline passengers have been facing disruption across the UK after warnings of an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

In Scotland, all airports were shut and there were disruptions at many others including Manchester, Liverpool, Stansted, Newcastle and Birmingham.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats), imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned ash could damage engines.

Passengers are being advised to contact their airlines prior to travel.

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were shut as Nats said it was restricting flights "in accordance with international civil aviation policy".

The ash cloud disrupted all flights to and from Manchester with a similar picture at Newcastle airport where all arrivals were cancelled and all outbound flights either cancelled or subject to indefinite delay.

'Significant disruption'

Birmingham airport warned of severe disruption with about 90% of flights cancelled, and there were problems reported at East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Cardiff.

Most flights were suspended at Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport, with some in and out of Dublin airport also hit.

[NiesiausBo]

Jetzt ist auch der deutsche und niederländische Luftraum getroffen. Somit wird wohl bald auch der Flughafen Weeze geschlossen:

http://www.spiegel.de/reise/aktuell/0,1 ... 25,00.html

[White Cap]

Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority Volcanic Ash update:

03 May 2010 23:00

CAA Newsroom

Latest News

Following consultation with forecasters at the UK Met Office and NATS, the Civil Aviation Authority has issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) to inform airlines and airports that increased concentrations of volcanic ash in the atmosphere are causing airspace closures in isolated parts of Scotland and are forecast to cause closures in Northern Ireland, which will affect local airport operations this evening and tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

Because ash concentrations exceed the levels agreed as safe by engine manufacturers, airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations from 18:00 today (Monday 03 May 2010), following Met Office advice. The closures will mean operations from Stornoway, Tiree, Barra and Benbecula will cease until airspace reopens.

Following the latest update from the Met Office, airspace over Northern Ireland will also be closed from 0700 local time tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. This means that Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports will be closed.

Air passengers expecting to travel to or from any of the affected airports are advised to contact the airport or their airlines to find out more information about their flights.

The CAA is closely monitoring the situation and will update the advice to operators and passengers tomorrow morning as latest updates are produced by the Met Office.