All Ryanair flights now operating on schedule

Ryanair has confirmed that all flights are operating on schedule today.

The airline has laid on three extra flights from Alicante to Dublin, Las Palmas to Stansted and Alicante to Birmingham tomorrow.

There are now spare seats available on scheduled and extra flights today and Saturday.

Ryanair confirmed the backlog of disrupted passengers will have been cleared by close of business this evening.

Meanwhile the Government's Taskforce on Emergency Planning met again this morning to discuss the situation.

The Irish Aviation Authority reported that Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports are meeting full capacity demand from the airlines, and Irish controlled airspace is also meeting full capacity required by the airlines, a statement issued following the meeting said.

Around 95% of all scheduled flights across Europe are operating today. Icelandic airspace is closed today as it is inside the 'no fly' zone.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that as expected, a small amount of ash has been detected in the atmosphere but there has been no deterioration of air quality.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation again reminded passengers who wish to claim refunds that any claims to their air carrier should be made within six months of their return to Ireland.

"The Taskforce continues to monitor the current situation," the statement said.