Here We Go Again - Flight Disruptions Start Due To Volcano

[ukrules]

On the BBC website - May 4th - Tuesday morning : flight restrictions in Ireland and northern Britain

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8658738.stm

[Rinrada]

and from last week.....

More than 95,000 flights were cancelled across Europe during the six days of disruption, with only a handful of flights taking off and landing at UK airports.

kof koff....

[tw25rw]

Hopefully they learnt valuable lessons from the last debacle. It would be ridiculous to stop short haul hops across the North Sea again when there is no perceptible ash just because a plane lost power flying through a volcanic plume in 1982.

[ukrules]

So all of the Irish airspace was closed today, many people will have missed connections in the UK and beyond because of this.

From what I've read it will all be opening up again from 1pm UK / Ireland time. This in itself will cause a lot of disruption to passengers who were meant to fly this morning.

[Boater]

i have a flight from Heathrow to mumbai at 9pm tonight, watching closely

[ukrules]

Looks like the same thing could happen Wednesday morning as well, update due shortly

Denser cloud heading south.

The UK Met Office has informed the CAA that ash over UK airspace has increased in density as ash emissions from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull have become stronger, meaning the Met Office forecasts of ‘No Fly Zone’ locations have been extended further South.

From : http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?cati...il&nid=1872

[joe552]

I'm due to fly to BKK in 3 weeks. And there was me worrying about the 'red' protests and how it invalidates my travel insurance. Now something else to worry about. This holiday business is not as relaxing as it once was!

[MB1]

Latest statement on the volcanic ash situation

Update on Wednesday 5 May, 1200Hrs GMT

http://www.nats.co.uk/

The no-fly zone imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority will extend from 1300 (local) today to include Belfast City, Belfast International, Ronaldsway (Isle of Man) and Edinburgh Airports. All other airfields currently within the no-fly zone remain within it.

Latest information from the Met Office shows that the ash cloud continues to move south and change shape. We continue to maintain close dialogue with the Met Office and with the CAA, which is responsible for imposing no-fly zones.

These latest restrictions will be re-assessed by the CAA at 1900. We will issue a further update following that.

[ukrules]

I see Manchester is in danger of being closed today, this is a major airport.

From the CAA website :

Current forecasts show that the 60 nautical mile buffer zone imposed around high concentrations of ash may be close to the following airports:

Edinburgh

Carlisle

Blackpool

Liverpool

Manchester

[MB1]

I see Manchester is in danger of being closed today, this is a major airport.

From the CAA website :

Current forecasts show that the 60 nautical mile buffer zone imposed around high concentrations of ash may be close to the following airports:

Edinburgh

Carlisle

Blackpool

Liverpool

Manchester

Yes Manchester may be in danger of being closed but may not be....Below from CAA website..

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?cati...il&nid=1873

"However, based on current forecasts CAA has assessed that these airports can safely remain open, but passengers should check with their airline before travelling to the airport, as the situation is dynamic:

The CAA will provide an update to the situation and the list of airports tomorrow morning when further Met Office forecasts are available.

The situation remains changeable, so passengers expecting to travel tomorrow from airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north of England and North Wales should contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.

Based on current forecasts, the CAA does not expect airports in the South East of England to be affected tomorrow."

So it seems that anyone intending to fly needs to keep a close eye on things due to the situation remaining changeable.

[jonnyscot]

I see Manchester is in danger of being closed today, this is a major airport.

From the CAA website :

Current forecasts show that the 60 nautical mile buffer zone imposed around high concentrations of ash may be close to the following airports:

Edinburgh

Carlisle

Blackpool

Liverpool

Manchester

Yes Manchester may be in danger of being closed but may not be....Below from CAA website..

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?cati...il&nid=1873

"However, based on current forecasts CAA has assessed that these airports can safely remain open, but passengers should check with their airline before travelling to the airport, as the situation is dynamic:

The CAA will provide an update to the situation and the list of airports tomorrow morning when further Met Office forecasts are available.

The situation remains changeable, so passengers expecting to travel tomorrow from airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north of England and North Wales should contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.

Based on current forecasts, the CAA does not expect airports in the South East of England to be affected tomorrow."

So it seems that anyone intending to fly needs to keep a close eye on things due to the situation remaining changeable.

check out this link, it shows the ash cloud coverage area present time and also +6 hour, + 12 hour and +18 hour forecast www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/volcanic?LANG=eng

[ukrules]

check out this link, it shows the ash cloud coverage area present time and also +6 hour, + 12 hour and +18 hour forecast www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/volcanic?LANG=eng

Good link I haven't seen this one before

[MB1]

check out this link, it shows the ash cloud coverage area present time and also +6 hour, + 12 hour and +18 hour forecast www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/volcanic?LANG=eng

Good link I haven't seen this one before

Me too, good link, looking at the 6/12/18hr forcasts it seems the ash cloud is moving away from the UK if the forcast is accurate.

[seanocasey]

posted here allready

[ukrules]

The forecast seems to get pretty close to Heathrow at some point, I wonder how accurate they are.

[dmax]

i just hope i make it to los on 24 th may , then again theres allways the red shirts to put a spanner in the works tut tut

[Thongkorn]

How inconvenient of Mother nature to spoil peoples Holidays, Now I can see why the Dinosaur packed up and went

[MB1]

Latest statement on the volcanic ash situation

Update on Wednesday 5 May, 1630pm GMT....

http://www.nats.co.uk/

The no-fly zone imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority continues to move further south and west in line with the high density area of the volcanic ash cloud. According to latest information from the Met Office, Edinburgh Airport will come out of the no-fly zone and become available for operations from 1900 (local). All other airfields currently within the no-fly zone remain within it from 1900 to 0100 tomorrow (Thursday). During this period the no-fly zone extends over most of Ireland and clips the west coast of northern England and Wales; however, most of Wales, England and eastern Scotland are now outside the high density area.

Met Office advice suggests that the cloud will continue to move southwesterly overnight and we therefore hope that fewer restrictions will be necessary tomorrow (Thursday). We continue to maintain close dialogue with the Met Office and with the CAA, which is responsible for imposing no-fly zones. The next updated Met Office information, covering the period 0100-0700 tomorrow, will be available at 1900 and restrictions will be re-assessed by the CAA in light of that information. We will subsequently issue a further update.

Civil Aviation Authority Volcanic Ash update: 05 May 2010 19:00GMT

Date: 05 May 2010

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?cati...il&nid=1876

Met Office advice suggests that the cloud will continue to move southwesterly overnight and the CAA and NATS therefore hope that fewer restrictions will be necessary tomorrow (Thursday).

Following the latest updated forecast from the Met Office later this evening the CAA will issue further guidance to industry and NATS will update the situation for the media and public with a statement that will be available from www.nats.co.uk

Commenting on the situation, Andrew Haines, CAA Chief Executive said:

“The situation for UK airspace, particularly over the North and Scotland, remains unprecedented. Volcanic ash is a known hazard to aircraft and the previously accepted procedure adopted all over the world was to avoid ash completely. For the first time an ash cloud is affecting airspace where there is not the room to do this. So the CAA had to develop new safety procedures enabling flights to continue whilst flying close to or through the ash cloud. We were able to reopen the skies last month having secured agreement from manufacturers on safe levels of ash tolerance.

“Scientists are tracking the cloud's movements constantly but its location changes frequently, depending on the strength of eruptions and prevailing winds. When the ash level exceeds that agreed as safe by the industry we have to restrict flights accordingly. This decision is not taken lightly and we appreciate the huge inconvenience and disruption this causes to the many people and businesses affected.

“Ash is likely to continue to disrupt UK air travel for the foreseeable future and our advice to passengers is to listen to updates and contact their airline before leaving home if they are concerned their travel plans may be affected. The CAA is continuing to lead international efforts to develop more detailed scientific understanding of the situation to minimise disruption without compromising passenger safety.”

The 18hr forcast where the ash cloud will be is also looking good for the UK if accurate..

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/vol...NG=en&ART=3

[MB1]

Good news for air travellers from and to the UK, all restrictions have now been lifted within UK airspace...

Latest statement on the volcanic ash situation from: http://www.nats.co.uk/

Update on Thursday 6 May, 0915GMT

The high density area of the volcanic ash cloud is now lying off the west of Ireland and as a result there are currently no restrictions within UK airspace.

We continue to maintain close dialogue with the Met Office and with the CAA, which agrees no fly zones based on Met Office data. We will issue any further notice as necessary.

[ukrules]

It looks like this fresh 'spurt' wasn't so bad, lets hope it stays that way.

[ukrules]

New story regarding this, flights might be affected in the UK from tomorrow.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8684540.stm

My flight was cancelled last time this happened and it's rebooked for Tuesday, now maybe it will be cancelled again, I guess I'll have to wait and see.

[MB1]

Here we go again.....

Update on Sunday 16 May

http://www.nats.co.uk/

Latest statement on the volcanic ash situation..

The CAA’s no-fly zone required by the high density volcanic ash cloud will not affect London airports for the period 1300-1900 (local time) today.

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. Airports which fall within the no-fly zone include all those in Northern Ireland, Ronaldsway, Prestwick, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, Doncaster, Humberside, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands and some Scottish island airports including Campbeltown, Islay and Barra.

There are currently no other restrictions within UK airspace.

6/12/18hr Ash cloud forcasts can be seen on below link...Not looking good...

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/vol...NG=en&ART=3

[ukrules]

Ok, latest update just out - London Heathrow and Gatwick are going to close tonight at 1am, I think the airport is closed by that time most nights anyway.

From http://nats.co.uk/

For the period 0100 (local time) until 0700 tomorrow (Monday), airports inside the no-fly zone as imposed by the CAA, include; London Heathrow, Gatwick, Farnborough, London City, Shoreham, Biggin Hill, all airfields in Northern Ireland, Scottish Western Isles, Oban, Campbeltown, Caernarfon and Aberdeen. Cardiff remains open but operations may be limited due to close proximity of the no-fly zone.

This only covers 0100-0700 - I think Heathrow normally opens at 6am. So what does this mean for a 12 hour flight taking off at 1pm tomorrow Bangkok time. Will itbe cancelled I wonder or will they risk it hoping that the airspace will reopen during the flight time.

Last time I remember hearing stories about an EVA Air flight turning around when it was about half way there, that's a 12 hour flight to nowhere. I really don't want to be on one of those this week. If they cancel my flight then no problem but I really don't want to have to spend 12 hours on a plane only to land back in Bangkok. That would be a terrible waste of a day which I could do without.

Maybe they learned their lesson from the last time this happened, if I was scheduling flights for airlines now I'd be thinking of cancelling flights ust in case as it must cost quite a bit in fuel to fly a 777 for 12 hours.

[IMA_FARANG]

I just saw that also.

The information is:

All flights into and out of London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports early Monday have been canceled due to a drifting ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland.

The affected flights are scheduled between 1 a.m. (0000 GMT) and 7 a.m. (0600 GMT), said BAA Heathrow spokesman Andrew Kirton

The information is now on CNN news under the article title of, "Volcanic ash forces Heathrow, Gatwick to close Monday

No idea how long this will last but I have the impression that this cloud is smaller but more intense...so disruptions will be for a shorter time frame.

Hopefully, anyhow.

[ukrules]

It just occurred to me that a whole bunch of flights heading for London are currently in the air and are scheduled to land at LHR tomorrow morning UK time.

I wonder what will happen to these flights now they won't be allowed to land there.......

These flights are listed as departed already BA 10, IB 7619, QF 301 - all code shares by the looks of it, I wonder if they will divert or return to Bangkok

QF 1, BA 7311 , IB 7704 - Estimated departure time unknown

TG 910, AC 6123 , UA 9870 - Cancelled

[LaoPo]

Ash cloud forces Heathrow and Gatwick airports to close

Britain's two busiest airports have closed as a volcanic ash cloud drifts further south, threatening major disruption to many thousands of people.

A no-fly zone imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority sees Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports shut from 0100 BST until at least 0700 BST.

Flights are also grounded in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford airports have re-opened after restrictions in the north were lifted.

Birmingham, Norwich and East Midlands airports are also open again, after suspending flights on Sunday.

Prestwick Airport will also no longer be within the no-fly zone from 0100 BST, although a spokeswoman said it would not be receiving any flights for another 12 hours.

MAIN AIRPORT CLOSURES

# Heathrow: Until 0700 BST

# Gatwick: Until 0700 BST

# London City: Until 0700 BST

# Aberdeen: Until 0700 BST

# Source: Nats

According to air traffic authority Nats, other airports closing through the night include Farnborough, Shoreham, Biggin Hill, all airfields in Northern Ireland, Scottish Western Isles, Oban, Campbeltown, Caernarfon and Aberdeen.

It said Cardiff would remain open but operations may be limited due to its proximity to the no-fly zone.

Flights in and out of Dublin, in the Irish Republic, are also grounded until at least noon.

The Department of Transport has warned restrictions are likely across different parts of the UK until at least Tuesday.

Travellers are being advised to check with their airline before leaving home.

“ All the test flights have shown no evidence that airlines could not continue to fly completely safety ”

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic

The latest dense patch of ash has already disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of people, mainly in northern parts of the UK.

Airspace over Northern Ireland was first to close on Saturday, then as the cloud moved south, Manchester closed at lunchtime on Sunday, with Birmingham following suit by teatime.

Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson called the closure of Manchester airport "beyond a joke".

"All the test flights by airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers have shown no evidence that airlines could not continue to fly completely safety," he said.

British Airways said airlines should be able to decide whether it was safe to fly, as the current approach was "overly restrictive".

But the CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: "We are all working flat out to keep flying safe whilst minimising disruption from the volcano."

Ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano has led to thousands of flights being delayed or cancelled since April.

A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/8685913.stm

Published: 2010/05/17 00:05:41 GMT

LaoPo

[ukrules]

The problem with Richard Branson is he is always moaning about someone or something, especially when it looks like he might not be making quite as much money as he normally does. This to me shows his complete and utter greed in the face of safety concerns. Quite a guy, he used to play the little guy who's being picked and forced out of lucrative deals by the larger corporations however he is now at the helm of one of the larger corporations.

[ukrules]

EVA Air have announced the cancellation of flights from Bangkok to London for today and tomorrow.

Of course their offices are closed due to the demonstrations.