Thursday 15 April 2010

Icelandic volcanic ash alert grounds UK flights

Airline passengers are facing massive disruption across the UK after an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded planes.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) said no flights would be allowed in or out of UK airspace from midday to 1800BST amid fears of engine damage.

The restrictions were imposed after the Met Office warned the ash was sufficient to clog engines.

Passengers were also affected in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

Passengers were advised to contact their carriers prior to travel.

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were shut as Nats said it was restricting flights "in accordance with international civil aviation policy".

Flights were affected at London's Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports, and British Airways said it had cancelled all domestic flights for the whole of Thursday.

The European air safety body, Eurocontrol, said the cloud of ash had reached 55,000ft and was expected to move through northern UK and Scotland by 1300BST.

A BAA spokesman said: "Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information."

Flights cancelled due to the volcanic ash are considered an extraordinary circumstance. Passengers do not qualify for a financial compensation as set out in Article 7 of the EC Regulation 261/2004.