Grounded: thousands affected as flights cancelled

SEVERAL HUNDRED flights were cancelled yesterday, affecting tens of thousands of passengers, following the closure yesterday of Irish and Scottish airports due to increased levels of ash in the atmosphere from the Icelandic volcano.

The Irish Aviation Authority said the volcano had expelled denser, coarser ash higher into the atmosphere. The restrictions followed a decision on Tuesday by the British aviation authority to ground flights over Northern Ireland and Scotland yesterday.

Passengers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to a refund or rerouting. EU regulations also require airlines to provide reasonable accommodation and refreshment for those who choose to be rerouted. Passengers should keep all relevant receipts.

However passengers who choose to make their own way to their destination are only entitled to a refund of their flight.

The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday said ash which may have fallen to the ground posed no risks to health. An agency spokeswoman said people may notice deposits of ash, as well as a haze in the air. The quantities of volcanic ash in the air were actually “minute” and were not in any way adversely affecting air or water quality, she said.