DUBLIN AIRPORT:UP TO 500 flights were cancelled yesterday, according to Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
With the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London confirming high ash concentration over northern parts of Britain, 500 of the 29,000 flights due to cross Europe yesterday were cancelled.
According to advisory centre predictions, there is a strong possibility that the cloud may affect parts of Denmark, southern Norway and southwest Sweden today.
Nineteen flights were cancelled yesterday at Dublin airport – 14 Aer Lingus flights and five Ryanair flights – all to and from Scotland. Otherwise it was “business as usual”, according to airport spokeswoman Siobhán Moore, who said the airport had learned from last year.
Ms Moore stressed that it was “absolutely critical” that passengers checked their airlines’ websites before coming to the airport.
Many passengers who did manage to get away yesterday pondered whether they would be able to return next week.
John Goodfellow from Belfast, who was going to Italy, said he had been deterred by the last ash cloud from travelling to Portugal.
“We are looking at this positively. Whatever happens we will be prepared,” he said.
Geraldine McCann, who also found her travel plans disrupted last year, said she was taking a philosophical approach. “Two years in a row, it is a bit unfair, but what can you do?”
Bruce Kelly from Cork, who was travelling to Spain, said he was concerned, but he had made contingency plans. “I’ve given it some thought, but I have the use of an apartment there and if I’m stuck for another week or two it will be OK.”
Ferry companies said they had experienced a significant increase in inquiries, but that interest had not yet translated into bookings.
Stena Line said traffic to its website had increased by more than a third and that it was preparing its services for the possibility of increased passenger numbers.
The company operates 15 daily return sailings – between Stranraer-Belfast, Dún Laoghaire or Dublin Port and Holyhead, and Rosslare-Fishguard.
“Last year the situation with the ash cloud and cancelled flights caused people a lot of stress and inconvenience,” a spokesman said.
“Our plans are now in place, so should the situation arise again, we are able to accommodate as many people as possible.”
Irish Ferries said it too had experienced an increase in inquiries but not yet in booked tickets.