Flight bans to be lifted as ash fears ease

FLIGHT restrictions caused by volcanic ash clouds in Irish airspace are being lifted today.

Last night, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said normal operations should resume at Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Donegal airports from 4am.

Shannon, Galway and Knock airports were expected to get the all-clear from 8am, while Kerry and Sligo were expected to resume normal operations at 9am and 6am respectively.

Renewed eruptions of dense volcanic ash from Iceland affected commercial traffic this week at airports throughout the country.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said that the volcanic ash problem was costing Aer Lingus an estimated €5 million a day, and Ryanair about €6m a day.

“I have already indicated publicly that Ireland is not in a position to provide financial aid to the industry because of the state of public finances,” he said.

The northerly wind, which had been directing the Eyjafjallajokul volcano blow-out over Ireland and parts of northern Britain since Monday, is changing direction and enabling the lifting of the country’s ‘no-fly zone’.

“Latest indications are that the ash plume will still be close enough to the east and south of Ireland to be troublesome for a time this morning, but it will gradually clear away south-westwards as the winds become more north-easterly. The wind regime continues to be predominantly north -easterly on Friday and for the weekend, and the plume should be held out to the west, away from Irish airspace, through this period,” according to Met Éireann forecasters.

The IAA said passengers should continue to contact their individual airline websites to establish the up-to-date position on flight schedules.

Restrictions remained in place throughout yesterday in all Irish airports with the exception of Shannon, Cork, and Kerry, where many incoming flights were diverted.

Aer Lingus said it plans to operate its full transatlantic schedule between Ireland and the US today.

The carrier said it intended to operate the majority of its short-haul services, “however some disruption is anticipated”.

Aer Lingus said 133 flights were cancelled, affecting 17,700 passengers – but the airline still operated almost 40% of its planned flight schedule, accommodating some 10,000 passengers.

Ryanair said it expects no further disruption at any British airports or on flights to and from Dublin, Cork and Knock.

Ryanair cancelled flights to and from Shannon until 10am and flights to and from Kerry until 8.50am.