City airport shut down by volcano

Aer Arann have advised that they intend to operate the RE287 from Dublin and the RE288 to Dublin. Passengers should check in for these flights as normal.

Passengers due to travel today - Friday - should regularly check with their airlines for the very latest information.

All other flights to and from City of Derry Airport will remain grounded until one o'clock on Saturday morning at the earliest because of a volcanic eruption.

Passengers should check the airline websites in the first instance –The eruption of a volcano under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland has sent plumes of ash into the atmosphere causing a potential hazard for aircraft.

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has issued this updated advisory: "The cloud of volcanic ash continues to cover much of the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues.

"Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in English controlled airspace will remain in place until 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday 17 April, at the earliest.

"Flights in Northern Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland to and from Glasgow and Prestwick will continue to be allowed until 1900 (UK time) subject to individual co-ordination.

"North Atlantic traffic to and from Glasgow, Prestwick and Belfast may also be allowed in this period.

"From 1900 (UK time), forecasts indicate that Scottish airspace may be able to accept domestic flights within Scotland and Northern/Southern Ireland, and North Atlantic flights to/from airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"We will review further Met Office information and at 1430 (UK time) we will advise further arrangements. In general, the situation is dynamic and subject to change.

"Passengers are advised that all flights to and from City of Derry Airport for today are subject to restrictions and are unlikely to operate.

"However this may be subject to change as the situation develops throughout the day.

"Passengers due to travel today should regularly check with their airlines for the very latest information."

Some flights at George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport and Dublin Airport have also been affected.

The Air Traffic Control Service, NATS, said the decision to restrict flights had been made after advice from the Met Office as volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines.

The Met office has warned that the ash is drifting as far as the Faroes and the moment but it is expected to travel a great deal further south and track over Europe tonight.

In 1982 a British Airways jumbo jet had four engines shut-down when it hit a trail of volcanic ash.

Due to the volcanic ash cloud and the subsequent closure of Scottish Airspace commercial flights cannot operate from the City of Derry Airport until further notice.

Aer Arann has advised that their evening Dublin service (RE287/RE288) has now been cancelled. Passengers should contact Aer Arann to re-book or arrange a refund.

Ryanair has issued the following advice for their passengers for April 15.

"Due to volcanic ash from Iceland, European Air Traffic Control has confirmed that for flight safety reasons there will be widespread closures of Northern European airspace leading to severe restrictions on Ryanair flights throughout the day.

"Airspace closures are causing widespread delays and cancellations as follows today (15th Apr):

From 09:00hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from the UK.

From 10:00hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from Ireland.

From 11:30hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Cancellations and delays will continue in to tomorrow and passengers should continue to monitor Live Flight Information on www.ryanair.com

Ryanair apologises sincerely for any inconvenience caused by these disruptions which may continue for the next couple of days.

Passengers can monitor the status of their flight by clicking on Ryanair Live Flight Information

Passengers who were booked to travel on one of the below cancelled flights can transfer to the next available flight FREE OF CHARGE or apply for a refund on their unused flight(s) online at www.ryanair.com, or by calling our reservation centre, or at the airport ticket desk."