IAA clears airports to stay open to 1pm tomorrow

All Irish airports will remain open until at least 1pm tomorrow, the Irish Aviation Authority has announced.

A large volcanic ash cloud is still positioned over the Atlantic from Greenland to the Iberian peninsula, and flights may continue to be disrupted on Iberian / Canary routes, the IAA warned.

Aer Lingus confirmed earlier that it had cancelled a number of flights between Ireland and Spain this evening.

Flights from Dublin, Cork and Belfast to Malaga and the Canary Islands have been cancelled because of disruption in Europe from the ash cloud.

A further update will be issued at 8.30pm tonight.

After criticism earlier today from Aer Lingus and Ryanair, the IAA said that "all decisions (to close or open airspace) are based solely on safety".

Passengers planning to travel by air over the coming days are advised to regularly check their airline websites and the IAA website in advance of going to the airport.