EUROPE. Aviation experts fear a summer of disruption in Europe Рwith knock-on effects to other regions Рas the result of continued ash cloud dispersion from the erupting Mount Eyjafjallaj̦kull volcano in Iceland.
The ash cloud caused the widespread closure of European airspace last month, leading to heavy losses for airlines, airports and travel retailers. This prompted Airports Council International Director General Angela Gittens to warn yesterday that April international passenger traffic numbers would suffer a “significant dent”.
This week, as reported, the problem returned, forcing the closure of Irish airspace Ireland from 0700hrs on Monday until 1300hrs on Tuesday. At 0800hrs this morning the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced further restrictions, with Dublin and Ireland West (Knock) closed from 11am today, and Donegal and Sligo airports from 0800hrs and 0900hrs respectively. Other airports are expected to be closed later, said the IAA, including Shannon from 1730 hrs, though Cork Airport remains open, and is receiving flights diverted from other airports.
Airspace over parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland has also been closed due to the ash cloud, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced this morning.
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The Eyjafjallajökull ash cloud is threatening a summer of travel disruption in Europe |
It said: “Following the latest updated forecast from the UK Met Office, the CAA can confirm that some airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland will be closed from 07:00 local time today [Wednesday 5 May -Ed].”
Therefore the following airports will be closed today from 07:00 until 13:00 local time:
SCOTLAND
Glasgow
Prestwick
Inverness
Stornoway
Benbecula
Tiree
Islay
Barra
Campbeltown
NORTHERN IRELAND
Derry
Between 13:00 and 19:00 local time the following airports are expected to be closed:
SCOTLAND
Glasgow
Prestwick
Stornoway
Benbecula
Tiree
Islay
Barra
Campbeltown
NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast International
Belfast City
Derry
The CAA said today that current forecasts show that the 60 nautical mile buffer zone imposed around high concentrations of ash may be close to the following airports:
Edinburgh
Carlisle
Blackpool
Liverpool
Manchester
However, based on current forecasts the CAA has assessed that these airports can safely remain open, adding “but passengers should check with their airline before travelling to the airport, as the situation is dynamic”.
It noted: “The situation remains changeable, so passengers expecting to travel tomorrow [Thursday 6 May – Ed] from airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north of England and North Wales should contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.
Based on current forecasts, the CAA does not expect airports in the South East of England to be affected tomorrow.
The Irish Aviation Authority refused to rule out further disruption for holidaymakers as long as Eyjafjallajökull continued to erupt. Chief Executive Eamon Brennan told RTE radio: “There’s no doubt about it, we’re probably facing a summer of uncertainty due to this ash cloud.”
