New flight restrictions imposed

Restrictions on flights have been imposed again at a number of Irish airports because of the volcanic ash cloud.

In a statement issued this evening, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said restrictions had been imposed on flights in and out of airports at Shannon, Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway and Kerry.

The authority said that while northerly winds are keeping the bulk of the volcanic ash cloud out in the Atlantic, it is begining to encroach on airspace along the west coast of Ireland.

As a result, restrictions will come into force at Donegal airport from midnight until 12pm and at Sligo airport from 12am to 1pm.

Airports at Knock and Galway wil have flight restrictions imposed from 3am to 1pm while Kerry airport will be closed to flights from 7am to 1pm.

Dublin, Cork and Waterford airports will operate as normal.

All Ryanair flights to and from Kerry, Knock and Shannon airports up to 2pm have been cancelled, but all flights after that time are expected to operate to schedule.

Ryanair flights from other Irish airports will operate as normal, the airline said in a statement this evening.

Aer Lingus said that passengers intending to travel from Shannon to New York and Boston should check in as normal in Shannon. They will be transported by coach to Dublin and will be flown onwards from there to New York and Boston.

Meanwhile, flights EI 380 from Shannon to Heathrow and EI 381 from Heathrow to Shannon have been cancelled.

Passengers with bookings for EI 381 will be reaccommodated on flights from Heathrow to Cork or Dublin and those on EI 380 will be accomodated on later flights to Heathrow.

Aer Lingus Services between London Gatwick and Knock will operate but may suffer delays. Customers are advised to check in on time at their departure airport.

Aer Arran said the restrictions meant that a number of flights would be cancelled. These include flights to andfrom airports in the west to Dublin, London Luton and Manchester.

Operations resumed at Irish airports earlier today after Eurocontrol and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London said levels of volcanic ash in the atmosphere had stabilised.

Flight restrictions imposed yesterday on Dublin, Waterford, Donegal and Cork airports because of denser ash levels were lifted at 4am, while restrictions at Sligo airport were relaxed at 6am.

The authority also cleared the way for flights from Knock, Galway and Shannon airports to resume at 8am and from Kerry airport at 9am.

Flights from Belfast International, Belfast City and Derry airports resumed at 7am. Normal service has also recommenced at all British airports.

Passengers were warned earlier today they could face further flight disruption over the next five to 10 days.

The Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning said Irish airspace “might be impacted by the volcanic ash again” next week with winds predicted to be from a north/northwesterly direction.

In a statement the taskforce said: “There is no indication so far, that the current eruption is about to cease”.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that air and water quality monitoring continues and they have not detected any deterioration in quality or increase in pollutants.

Passengers planning to travel by air over the coming days are advised to regularly check with their airlines and the IAA website in advance of going to the airport.

The IAA said tonight it is in constant contact with the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) and the Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) at Eurocontrol and is monitoring the path of the ash cloud in order to assess the impact it could have on air safety.

It said that should there be any change to the restrictions imposed this evening it  will issue a further statement. A normal update is expected to be issued at 9.30am.