European airlines on ash alert after volcano erupts

ASH from an erupting Icelandic volcano could reach northern Scotland by tomorrow and parts of Britain, France and Spain by Thursday or Friday if the eruption continues at the same intensity, airlines were warned yesterday.

Met Éireann said there was no short-term risk to Ireland but that it is monitoring the situation.

The warning is based on the latest five-day weather forecasts, but is being treated cautiously because of uncertainties over the way the volcano will behave and interact with the weather.