Minimal disruption to flights expected this week

IRELAND SHOULD see minimal disruption to flights over the coming week due to reduced volcanic activity and a change in wind direction.

The latest forecast came following a meeting yesterday of the Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning in the national emergency co-ordination centre.

All Irish airports are open, and the ash plume, which is now about 3,200km long and 1,600km wide, remains off the western coast.

In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the Irish Aviation Authority warned there was potential risk to west coast airports this morning.

Flights between the US and Europe were disrupted yesterday morning due to the presence of high concentrations of volcanic ash over an area in the middle of the north Atlantic.

Aircraft using the main Atlantic arterial routes were forced to make significant detours to avoid the area.

Flights operated by Aer Lingus, US Airways, Continental and Delta from US cities including New York, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta were delayed. American Airlines cancelled its AA092 flight from Chicago, which was due to arrive in Dublin at 8.40am.

Forecasts say areas of higher ash concentration could move in a northeasterly direction from the Atlantic into the Iberian Peninsula today, and flights operating from Portugal may be affected.

A number of Aer Lingus flights between Dublin and Madrid, Dublin and Malaga, and Belfast and Malaga were cancelled yesterday as some restrictions were reintroduced over Spain.

Passengers planning to travel by air are advised to regularly check their airline websites.