Irish airports prepare for take-off

IRISH airports hoped to resume operations early this morning after European transport ministers agreed a response to the volcanic ash travel chaos, estimated to be costing the European aviation industry more than €150 million a day.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has warned it will take up to four days for the backlog to clear.

However, there were warnings issued last night that a “new ash cloud” was spreading towards Ireland. One source said the “situation was worsening” in some areas.