THE National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has imposed restrictions to UK airspace for Thursday, April 15, due to volcanic ash drifting across the UK from Iceland.
Flights to, from or connecting through London’s Heathrow (LHR) may be delayed or cancelled due to the volcanic activity in Iceland.
All British Airways UK domestic flights are cancelled today (April 15). Further disruption is likely as a second eruption has occurred closer to Finland and Russia.
Airports in Scotland and Norway are currently closed and other parts of the UK may be impacted later in the day. Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airline for further information.
Weather forecasters said the ash plume could drift over British airspace during the night, causing significant disruption to services.
The movement of the plume, which has been drifting eastwards, is being monitored by Met Office, NATS, Eurocontrol and neighbouring countries.
Volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft. Volcanic ash, which consists of the pulverised rock and glass created by the eruptions, can jam aircraft machinery if a plane flies through the plume, shutting down the engines. Ash can also be can be sucked into the cabin itself, contaminating the passengers' environment as well as damaging the plane's electronic systems.
Forecasters also said the cloud could take a number of days to disperse. Reports indicate that the threat could run into Friday.
Flights to, from or connecting through London’s Heathrow (LHR) may be delayed or cancelled due to the volcanic activity in Iceland.
All British Airways UK domestic flights are cancelled today (April 15). Further disruption is likely as a second eruption has occurred closer to Finland and Russia.
Airports in Scotland and Norway are currently closed and other parts of the UK may be impacted later in the day. Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airline for further information.
Weather forecasters said the ash plume could drift over British airspace during the night, causing significant disruption to services.
The movement of the plume, which has been drifting eastwards, is being monitored by Met Office, NATS, Eurocontrol and neighbouring countries.
Volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft. Volcanic ash, which consists of the pulverised rock and glass created by the eruptions, can jam aircraft machinery if a plane flies through the plume, shutting down the engines. Ash can also be can be sucked into the cabin itself, contaminating the passengers' environment as well as damaging the plane's electronic systems.
Forecasters also said the cloud could take a number of days to disperse. Reports indicate that the threat could run into Friday.
