More misery for air passengers as ash cloud returns

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) revealed restrictions would be imposed from 7am to 1pm as a dense plume travelled across the island.

The authority said the decision to ground aircraft was based on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north-easterly winds.

It said Ireland fell within the predicted area of ash concentrations that exceeded acceptable engine manufacturer tolerance levels. "Current information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC) suggests that a no-fly zone will have to be imposed over Ireland tomorrow that will

affect Dublin, Shannon Galway, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Donegal, Cork and Kerry," said a spokesman.

The IAA said over-flights of Ireland from the UK and Europe would not be affected today with flights in mainland Europe operating normally.

The skies over parts of Scotland were also closed as a precaution last night.

Airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations at 6pm following advice from the Met Office.

The closures could see flights to and from the Western Isles cancelled, but passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.

Last month tens of thousands of Britons were stranded abroad and faced long delays when airspace was closed by the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

A CAA spokesman said: "The Civil Aviation Authority has... (informed] airlines and airports that increased concentrations of volcanic ash in the atmosphere are forecast to cause limited airspace closures in Scotland."