Ash cloud dashes hopes of northern airport getaway

They gathered in the prospect of potentially defying the cloud of volcanic ash drifting from Iceland but many turned straight back home when they discovered flights would be grounded for the rest of the day.

Travellers were informed by a number of airlines late on Friday to go to the airport following advice from the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) that flights in the north of England might be able to operate from 4am to 10am.

Some were notified that that they would not receive a travel refund if they failed to take advantage of any flights that were lined up.

However, officials at Manchester Airport learned the window had closed at 2am because the cloud had drifted north.

They swiftly contacted the Highways Agency who flashed up signs on the surrounding motorway network that the site was closed.

By then many people wanted to find out in person that any chance of flying was non-existent and not risk losing their money..

Retired couple Rod and Sue Brook, from Huddersfield, were told by their travel company to go to the airport for their flight to Atlanta as part of a "contingency plan".

They needed to be in Galveston, Texas, tomorrow to embark on a 14-day cruise stopping off at Barbados, the Azores and Barcelona.

Mr Brook, 65, said: "Let's be fair it's nobody's fault but we're a little ticked off. I retired six months ago and we've been looking forward to this trip for a long time now.

"It doesn't look as if we are going to get there in time but neither of us have to worry about losing work holiday time so we'll rebook it later in the year."

Mrs Brook, 61, said: "It's not all bad. We can now go to our twin god-daughters' 18th birthday party tonight. They will be glad to see us."

John Pinder, 82, and his wife, Jean, 69, were due to fly home to Toronto, Canada, on Thursday after spending three weeks in Preston, Lancashire visiting Mrs Pinder's ill mother.

The couple, who emigrated to Canada 16 months ago where their two daughters also live, now face an extended stay as they learned the earliest they can fly home is Monday, April 26.

Former librarian Mr Pinder, originally from the village of Grimsargh, said: "We originally rebooked a flight for today to but that's obviously not going to happen so we're having to settle for a week on Monday!

"We stayed at a lodge across the road last night but we had been staying with friends in Longridge up to then. I think they might be getting a phone call in a minute.

"You've got to make the most of it. I think the children back in Canada are quite concerned really as we help out a lot with the grandchildren."

David French, of Middlesbrough, and his family sat in despair in the airport's Terminal 1 check-in area as they came to terms with the unhappy news they would not be spending Mr French's 50th birthday in Orlando, Florida.

Surrounded by birthday cards and wearing a paper hat, Mr French and his wife, Janet, 47, their daughter, Stephanie, 16, and her boyfriend, Craig, 18, arrived at 6am in the hope of taking off at 9.25am.

Mrs French said: "Thomas Cook called us yesterday and said there might be a flight available because of this window but if we weren't at the airport it would be our fault if we missed the chance.

"Then we get here and are told there is no airspace available. "

Mr French said: "I want something in writing that it is definitely cancelled before we go home.

"I disagree with people saying this ash cloud is an "act of God". You would have thought that engineers would have worked out how to deal with this problem.

"This country has come to a standstill due to lack of research and investment."

He added: "I guess we'll go back home and have a couple of bottles. Have a party and make something good out of this."

A couple from Leeds, who did not wish to be named, said they followed Thomas Cook advice on its website to travel to the airport with the chance of flying out to the Dominican Republic.

The gentleman said: "We're stuck here now until six o'clock because we can't get a lift back home until then unless we fork out 60 for a taxi.

"I'm not happy with the so-called customer service. We've been kept in the dark and now we can't through to their helplines."

Airport spokesman Russell Craig said: "There will be no flights until Sunday at the earliest.

"Passengers should check with their airlines before coming down, each airline is dealing with it differently.

"I understand there is a lot of frustration here today. We completely understand as do all the airlines.

"Late last night we were told about the window. At 2am the window was closed.

"People arrived to find their flights were cancelled.

"It was a difficult decision because we are building up people's hopes. There was not enough time to inform the passengers, which was very unfortunate.

"To everybody we can only apologise and remind them it is an extraordinary situation."

By late morning the airport was eerily quiet with more employees milling around than passengers.

The normally busy gangway between Terminals 1 and 2 was deserted as information boards updated the few passengers left on the further delays.

The sight of screen showing that trains to the airport were running on time was unlikely to improve their spirits.