Irish airspace still no-fly zone
Aer Lingus cancelled all flights today after renewed eruptions from the Icelandic volcano disrupted plans to reopen Irish skies.
The airline joined Ryanair in calling off services until tomorrow as a blanket no-fly zone extended over Ireland.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which had hoped to allow some flights to resume at dawn, said the flight ban would continue until at least 1pm after charts showed the country at the centre of an ash contamination zone.
Stranded passengers were advised to contact their airline websites before travelling to airports, with the IAA warning the current restrictions could be extended.
Aer Lingus said it regretted the severe disruption to passengers, some of whom travelled to airports hoping to catch early morning flights.
The IAA’s director of operations, Donie Mooney, said the decision to ground flights for a sixth day was regrettable but unavoidable.
“When we looked at what was developing and where this ash cloud now was, it was centred right over Ireland,” he told RTÉ radio.
“It left us with no option but to put in this restriction again and effectively landlock Irish airports.”
Ryanair had already cancelled Irish and UK flights until at least lunchtime tomorrow.
Aer Lingus issued a statement to the stock exchange warning that the ongoing restrictions were costing the firm about €5meuro a day.
Meanwhile, hopeful passengers arrived at Dublin Airport to learn their travel plans had been thrown back into chaos.
“There’s a few disappointed people around but people are very understanding,” Dublin Airport Authority spokeswoman Siobhan Moore said.
“Passengers need to contact their airline before coming to the airport.
“It’s critical they do that from the location they’re in.”
The Government’s emergency taskforce was meeting in central Dublin with updates on the no-fly zone to be detailed at around midday.
