Airline passengers have been warned of possible disruptions to transatlantic services over the weekend due to the volcanic ash cloud that has led to flight cancellations in recent days.
All Irish airports are now fully operational again after the IAA lifted restrictions imposed after Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano created a massive ash cloud 1,000 miles long and 800 miles wide.
The IAA last night decided to ground flights to and from Shannon, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Galway, Donegal and Kerry airports.
Services resumed at Kerry, Galway, Knock, Shannon and Sligo airports at 10am. Dublin, Cork and Waterford airports are operating as normal. Flights from Donegal resumed at 8.30am.
However, passengers planning to travel by air over the coming days are advised to check regularly with their airlines and the IAA website in advance of going to the airport.
The IAA said the ash cloud, which is said to be 10 times the size of Ireland, was moving away because of easterly winds. As a result, operations to and from the US may by airlines having to choose longer routes to avoid the ash; leading to flight delays or cancellations.
In a statement issued this evening, the IAA said all Irish airports are expected to operate normally until at least 1pm tomorrow.
Aer Lingus this evening cancelled a number of flights for tomorrow. These include flight EI133 from Dublin to Boston via Shannon. Passengers intending to travel from Shannon to Boston will be transported by coach to Dublin and will be flown onwards to Boston on flight EI137 instead, which is scheduled to depart at 2pm.
Passengers intending to travel from Dublin to Boston on flight EI133 are also to be reaccommodated on flight EI137 instead.
In addition, fllight EI136 from Boston to Dublin has also been cancelled and passengers will be reaccommodated on flight EI132.
Separately, the Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning today said the potential for disruption of air services may remain into next week.
"The current difficult situation arises because of the recent increased level of volcanic activity, which has created a very substantial ash cloud in the Atlantic, which may impinge on the capacity of airlines to fly safely," the taskforce said in a statement following a meeting this morning.