Six west coast airports closed as ash cloud causes further flight disruption

INCREASED volcano activity in Iceland will cause another day of flight disruption today at six airports.

A ‘no-fly zone’ was imposed over the west of Ireland from midnight as a giant volcanic ash cloud built up in the atmosphere just west of Ireland.

Shannon, Donegal, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Galway and Kerry airports will be closed until lunchtime.

However, the Irish Aviation Authority said Dublin and Cork will remain open.

“The restrictions are required as the increased level of recent volcanic activity has created a massive ash cloud stretching 1,000 miles long and 700 miles wide,” it said. “While the northerly winds are keeping the bulk of the cloud out in the Atlantic, the increased size of the cloud is encroaching on Irish airspace along the west coast of Ireland.

“Due to the expected position of the ash cloud during the next 18 hours, it is essential that the airports along the west coast will have restrictions imposed in the interest of safety.”

Passengers planning to travel over the coming days are advised to check regularly with their airline. Ryanair said all flights to and from the affected airports are cancelled up to 2pm.

“The eruption is going at full speed,” geophysicist Sigurlaug Hjaltadottir said yesterday. “This is evident by our measurements and by the fact that there is still quite a bit of ash production in the volcano, coupled with massive explosions.”