Flights and sailings cancelled due to wind storm

Those with travel plans are being advised to check their ability to travel after severe winds overnight caused widespread disruption.

Met Éireann had an orange status weather warning place with a gale warning in effect for marine areas.

Strong winds at Dublin Airport last night caused a number of flights to be diverted or cancelled, the airport said.

A statement from the airport said: “This will have a knock-on impact on today's operations at Dublin Airport, as a number of aircraft are out of position as a result. Intending passengers should check with their airline or airline website regarding the status of their flight.”

Aer Lingus stated that extreme weather had caused major disruption to its operation. “High winds at Dublin and Cork Airports necessitated diversions of a large number of aircraft, from their originally intended Irish destinations, to UK airports,” its website stated. A number of flights were also cancelled.

“As a result, many of the scheduled operations on Thursday morning 18th April are cancelled or significantly delayed.”

Intending passengers are asked to check their flight status before heading for airports. Customers were advised they could change their bookings online.

Sailings cancelled

Irish Ferries stated that due to adverse weather forecasts on the Irish Sea Jonathan Swift Fast Craft sailings this morning at 8.45am from Dublin to Holyhead and 11.50 on the return sailing have been cancelled.

Passengers booked on these sailings are to be accommodated on cruise ferry sailings out of dublin at 8.05am and on the return sailing at 2.10pm today. Other fast craft sailings for today had yet to be confirmed. The company’s website stated: “Further updates on our sailing status are expectected early” this morning.

Stena Line's website stated its sailing from Dublin Port with the Nordica vessel at 2.15am this morning had been cancelled, but that as of 6.30am today the Adventura sailing at 8.20am was scheduled to depart on time.

Met Éireann forecast blustery winds today which are set to ease later.

AA Roadwatch stated that conditions have “vastly improved” this morning following winds of up to 130 km/h in some parts of the country overnight. “Motorists are advised to expect debris on the road and to take care,” the service stated.

Irish Rail stated on Twitter that the 7am Cork to Dublin Heuston service was delayed but that this was due to a mechanical fault.

Ryanair stated that it had been forced to cancel flights last night but that flights to and from Dublin and Cork today are operating normally.