Volcanic ash cloud heralds summer of doubt

AVIATION officials were meeting late last night amid fears flights may have to be grounded for a second day because of volcanic ash as Irish airlines face a summer of uncertainty.

Flights over Scotland and Northern Ireland were cancelled from 7am today after ash levels in the atmosphere made it unsafe to fly, mirroring the six-hour “no-fly zone” imposed on the Republic yesterday.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) met around midnight to examine the latest charts and forecasts from the London-based Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC).

The IAA was told of renewed activity at the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland over the past couple of days, with increased ash concentrations spewing into the atmosphere.

Met observers in Iceland said plumes of emissions had reached an altitude of 20,000 feet and were blowing southeastwards towards Ireland and Britain, creating obvious potential hazards for commercial flights.

Irish airspace could be shut down or flight restrictions put in place at some airports later today or early tomorrow as northerly winds are expected to blow the ash over the country.

“There’s no doubt about it, we’re probably facing a summer of uncertainty due to this ash cloud,” said Eamonn Brennan, chief executive of the IAA.

The forecast ash concentration levels have been above the tolerance levels agreed with the aircraft engine manufacturers and in excess of the safety regulations drawn up by the 27 national aviation authorities in the EU.

Ryanair said it was awaiting information last night from the IAA and its European opposite numbers in relation to possible disruptions to flights.

Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair advised intending passengers to check airline websites for updated news bulletins.

All indications were last night that the ash plume would remain close enough to the east and north of the country to remain a threat today and into Thursday.

A change in wind direction after tomorrow should blow the plume away from Irish airspace through Friday and the weekend, forecasters said.

Large queues formed at airport information desks as people applied for refunds or tried to reschedule trips.

Ryanair said 15,000 passengers had been hit by more than 100 flight cancellations. Around 14,000 Aer Lingus passengers had their flights cancelled.

The flight restrictions meant Transport Minister Noel Dempsey could not travel to Brussels for a EU meeting to address the ash cloud crisis.

Yesterday’s closure of Irish airspace “emphasised the need for a strong European response and action plan,” Mr Dempsey said.

Meanwhile, air travellers demanding compensation after being stranded by the volcanic ash crisis last month can use a standard Europe-wide “complaints package” available online.