BB FANS

Volcanic ash plane CHAOS

THE travel plans of thousands have been thrown into chaos after VOLCANIC ASH grounded all flights in and out of the UK.

Air traffic control company Nats today announced that all non-emergency flights would be cancelled from midday until 7am tomorrow at the earliest.

SUN

Icelandic ash cloud: Ten things you need to know about the volcanic cloud that’s causing havoc at airports


By Chris Wilson, Mirror.co.uk 15/04/2010


All you need to know about the Icelandic ash cloud.

1. The dust cloud is a result of a volcanic eruption at the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier which erupted on March 20, for the first time since 1821

2. At the time Icelandic airspace was closed, with flights diverted and roads closed

3. The volcano erupted again yesterday spewing a huge dust cloud into the sky, this cloud has subsequently been blown over the British Isles and Scandanavia

4. British airports are not the only ones hit with flight disruptions. Flights in and out of Finland and Norway are also affected

5. All UK flights have been grounded from midday to 6pm

6. The reason why the dust cloud has grounded planes is because volcanic ash can clog up aeroplane engines and cause serious damage

7. A BA pilot who encountered an ash plume from the erupting Mount Galunggung in Java, Indonesia in 1982 describes flying through the ash as “a bit like negotiating one's way up a badger's arse”

8. Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the volatile meeting of the Eurasian and North American continental plates

9. A Flickr page has been set up which show amazing pictures of Eyjafjallajoekull erupting in Iceland. Have a look at the stunning pictures HERE

10. Among the thousands of travellers delayed as a result of the ash cloud are Liberal Democrats MP Vince Cable, Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja, who were planning to fly to Copenhagen for the Danish queen's 70th birthday, and the Great Britain Ice Hockey Supporters Club

UK extends air restrictions after Icelandic eruption BBC

IAA in 'no fly zone' warning

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has warned that Irish Airports could again be closed due to volcanic ash.

The ash cloud is drifting south towards Ireland due to north easterly winds.

The IAA said current information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC) suggests that a 'no fly zone' may be imposed over Ireland from Tuesday.

The ban could affect all regional airports. The IAA will have an update from the VAAC at 2000 BST and will make a decison then.

BBC
Page last updated at 17:39 GMT, Monday, 3 May 2010 18:39 UK