Ireland to close airspace over western coast on Friday due to volcanic ash

May 7th, 2010 - 2:46 am ICT by BNO News  

Volcano Eruption DUBLIN (BNO NEWS) — Irish aviation authorities on Thursday said that a new cloud of volcanic ash will force new restrictions on Friday.

The Irish Aviation Authority said flights in and out of six airports will be affected from midnight until 1 p.m. local time on Friday. “The restrictions are required as the increased level of recent volcanic activity has created a massive ash cloud stretching 1,000 miles long and 700 miles wide,” said Martin Towey, a spokesman for the Irish Aviation Authority. “While the northerly winds are keeping the bulk of the cloud out in the Atlantic, the increased size of the cloud is encroaching on Irish airspace along the west coast of Ireland.”

Towey said Dublin, Cork and Waterford airports would remain unaffected. Shannon, Ireland West (Knock) and Galway will be closed from 3 a.m. local time until 1 p.m. local time. Donegal will be closed from midnight to 12 p.m. local time, while Sligo will be closed from midnight to 1 p.m. local time. Kerry will close from 7 a.m. local time until at least 1 p.m. local time.

“Due the expected position of the ash cloud during the next 18 hours, it is essential that the airports along the west coast will have restrictions imposed in the interest of safety of passengers and crews,” Towey said. “Passengers planning to travel by air over the coming days are advised to regularly check with their airlines and the IAA website in advance of going to the airport.”

Related Stories

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Environment |

Subscribe