Travel News > May 2010 > UK faces further flight cancellations due to volcanic ash

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UK faces further flight cancellations due to volcanic ash

17/05/2010

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Another wave of volcanic ash from Iceland is causing flight cancellations at UK airports today. Thousands of travellers are facing long delays.

The volcanic ash cloud started to drift over the UK on Saturday, causing closures in Northern Ireland, while Manchester and Birmingham closed their airports on Sunday.

Heathrow, Gatwick and London City were closed until 07:00 this morning, when a limited service resumed. Though the London airports are currently not in the no-fly zone, flights will still be disrupted due to their close proximity to affected airspace.

Passengers stranded at airports outside of the no-fly zone are frustrated that they are facing flight cancellations.

Airports in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have also been affected by flight cancellations, and planes at Dutch airports are grounded.A no-fly zone has been implemented over many parts of the UK, effective between 07:00 and 13:00 today, causing flight cancellations across the whole of Northern Ireland, Ronaldsway, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Northern Scotland, Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol and Farnborough. Gatwick is likely to be closed to arrivals until 13:00.

Sir Richard Branson, the president of Virgin Atlantic, criticised the flight cancellations at Manchester Airport. He said: All the test flights by airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers have shown no evidence that airlines could not continue to fly completely safely.

British Airways has a similar view of the current reaction to the volcanic ash cloud. A BA spokesperson said the response has been overly restrictive.

The Department of Transport is advising that flight cancellations may continue over the next couple of days. Although the volcanic ash cloud is currently not over London, it's likely to drift over the capital on Tuesday.

The volcanic ash cloud should make a welcome departure from UK airspace by Wednesday, though flights might still be affected.

Virgin Trains has jumped at the chance to assist travellers by making 7,000 seats available to passengers travelling between Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and between London Euston and Glasgow. Eurostar will also be running additional services, offering an extra 3,500 seats to travellers seeking alternative forms of transport.

BA cabin crew strikes due to start on Tuesday will only add to the chaos at UK airports.

If you have a flight booked over the next few days, contact your airline before departing for the airport to find out about any disruption to your journey.

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