Britain on Sunday closed parts of airspace due to the presence of high density volcanic ash cloud caused by continuing eruption in Iceland. However, no international flights have been effected till now.
The airports in Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland and the Midlands have been closed by the Civil Aviation Authority. “Airports in Ronaldsway, Prestwick, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, Doncaster, Humberside, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands and some Scottish island airports, including Campbeltown, Islay and Barra have been closed to air traffic,” Britain’s air traffic authority said on Sunday.
However, the airports in London have not been affected by the volcanic ash cloud.
“The no-fly zone required by the high density volcanic ash cloud will not affect London airports for the period 1 pm-7 pm on Sunday,” National Air Traffic Service said.
The no-fly zone for this period has moved east to a line stretching from Prestwick on the west coast to Humberside on the east coast and south to a line just north of Birmingham.
The airspace above the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland is already closed after wind blew ash from the Icelandic volcano above the UK. More flights in the UK will have to be grounded as the volcanic ash cloud is spreading to the south and east.
In April, week-long flight ban was imposed in most of Europe due to the threat from volcanic ash to the aircraft. Airlines lost revenues of $1.7 billion, according to International Air Transport Association estimates, in six days that airspace over most of Europe was closed and the European carriers bore the brunt of the losses.
Britain’s transport ministry has warned more planes could be grounded, with restrictions potentially stretching as far as Tuesday morning.
BMI airline cancelled more than 25 flights due to volcanic ash cloud and BA said its flights faced disruption.
“Due to the closure of airspace over northern England, we are currently experiencing disruption to our Manchester flights,” British Airways said on Sunday.