FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS may remain “for a number of days” due a plume of ash from an erupting Icelandic volcano, a spokesman for the Government’s emergency taskforce has warned.
Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have cancelled all UK and European flights in and out of Ireland until 1pm today.
However, late last night there was some respite for travellers when the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) lifted restrictions on flights to and from Cork and Shannon. This will allow transatlantic traffic to operate.
The restrictions were lifted as the ash cloud moved towards the east coast. “We will continue to closely monitor the weather and once it is safe to fly into the east coast we will lift the restrictions at Dublin Airport when it is deemed safe to do so,” said Donie Mooney, director of operations at the IAA, in a statement released before midnight.
Flights from Ireland to the UK and Europe are officially grounded until 11am. Earlier last night, Maurice Mullen assistant secretary of the Department of Transport said: “All the indications are that these aircraft will not be able to move for some time after that [11AM] perhaps for a number of days.” He was speaking after the meeting of the Taskforce on Emergency Planning.
Aer Lingus said most flights to the US are expected to operate today but with delays. Passengers are being advised to check their airline websites for updates.
The plume of ash is being blown from Iceland over Ireland, the UK and northern Europe and this situation is not expected to change, Dr Gerald Fleming of Met Éireann said last night. He said high pressure to the north-west was directing the winds over Ireland and Britain.
“We don’t see that weather situation changing significantly in the next two or three days. So if the volcano continues to spew out volcanic ash and sulphur dioxide we will continue to see that plume come down towards these countries and it will probably continue to affect our air space,” he said.
The volcano began erupting on Wednesday for the second time in a month from below the Eyjafjallajökull glacier which hurled a plume of ash six to 11 kilometres into the atmosphere. Volcanic ash contains tiny particles of glass and pulverised rock which can damage engines and airframes.
The plume is projected to spread east and south, extending over most of the UK and Ireland, Scandinavia, the Benelux countries, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states over the next day, as well as parts of France and Russia.
The prospect of rain clearing the ash out of the atmosphere look unlikely as dry weather continues for the next two or three days.
Almost 500 flights involving about 50,000 passengers were cancelled in Ireland yesterday as a result of the restrictions.
Many ferries out of the Republic were full yesterday with queues forming at ports as passengers sought alternative travel options.
There was also major disruption to flights in France, Germany, Finland, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.
It was the first time within living memory that a natural disaster had caused such a halt in the UK, a spokeswoman for the UK’s National Air Traffic Service said.
But some flights from Northern Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland to and from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick may be allowed to fly, NATS said.
Brian Flynn, deputy head of operations at the European air traffic control organisation Eurocontrol, said the disruption was unprecedented. “The extent is greater than we’ve ever seen before in the EU. The meteorological situation is such that the volcanic ash is progressing very slowly eastwards but there is not a lot of wind . . . so it is very slow and very dense.”
Those whose flights have been cancelled must be offered a choice between rerouting to their final destination or a full refund, under European regulations. The airlines must also offer meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation where a stay of one or more nights is necessary. If an airline offers a flight to an alternative airport it must bear the cost of transferring its passengers.
Caroline Curneen of the European Consumer Centre in Dublin advised anyone who has been affected by cancellations to keep all receipts for expenses incurred and to submit a claim in writing, enclosing copies of the receipts directly to the airline. If the airline does not respond within 10 working days passengers should make a complaint to the Commission for Aviation Regulation, she said.
Officials moved to reassure the public about the effects of the ash on human health. Maurice Mullen said there were “no specific public health concerns”. Dr Fleming said he did not see the plume moving down into the lower atmosphere and would only come down as part of rain.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter operations on the east and south-east coasts were restricted last night due to the hazardous conditions. but lifeboats continued to operate.
Some events were also cancelled. The headline act at tonight’s sold out Trinity Ball Dizzee Rascall has made alternative travel arrangements and is expected in Dublin to perform.