IRELAND. The Irish Aviation Authority has just re-opened Irish airspace from 1300hrs today after earlier restricting all flights in and out of Ireland from 0700hrs Monday 3 May until 1300hrs today due to risk of volcano ash ingestion in aircraft engines.
The ash, coming from the erupting Mount Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, caused the widespread closure of European airspace last month. That in turn led to heavy losses for airlines, airports and travel retailers.
The IAA said yesterday that current ash levels fall within the predicted area of ash concentrations that exceed “acceptable engine manufacturer tolerance levels”.
It noted: “The decision is based on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north easterly winds.”
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The volcanic ash crisis, which paralysed European airspace last month, has returned to Ireland |
Based on information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre, a “˜no fly zone’ was imposed over Ireland that affected Dublin, Shannon Galway, Sligo, Ireland West (knock), Donegal, Cork and Kerry airports.
Over-flights of Ireland from the UK and Europe were not impacted. Flights in mainland Europe are operating normally.
