UPDATE – Further restrictions at some Irish airports due to volcanic ash
0910 - Wednesday 5th May 2010: Further restrictions will be put in place at Irish airports today due to the movement of a high risk exclusion zone of volcanic ash moving down the Irish sea today.
Since 1630 yesterday - Tuesday 4th May 2010 - the volcano in Iceland has expelled denser, coarser ash higher into the atmosphere.
The following restrictions are required:
Dublin airport will be restricted from 1100 hours local time until at least midnight tonight, and no flights will travel through the airport between these times.
Shannon airport will be open until 1730 hours local time today.
Cork airport will be open until at least midnight.
Kerry airport will be open until at least midnight.
Waterford airport will be open until at least 1500 hours local time today.
Galway will be restricted from 1200 hours local time today.
Ireland West (Knock) will be restricted from 1100 hours local time that will last at least until midnight.
Donegal airport will have restrictions in place at least until midnight.
Sligo airport will have restrictions in place at least until midnight.
A further statement will be issued by 1600 hours local this afternoon, following the receipt of updated volcanic ash data.
The IAA appreciates the difficulties facing passengers and airlines at this time. In the interest of passenger and aircraft safety, and to avoid confusion, the IAA bases all of its decisions about airspace restrictions on data provided by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre and Eurocontrol.
This information arrives approximately every six hours and this, in turn, dictates how often the IAA can provide the public with updates. The impact of further volcanic activity in Iceland at 16.30 yesterday, Tuesday 4th May 2010, could only be assessed late last night. Decisions are taken solely on the grounds of safety.
Airline passengers should continue to contact their airline websites to establish the up-to-date position on flight schedules.
Overflights of Irish airspace between North America and Europe will continue as normal.
ENDS
Media contacts:
Ken Rogan: 086 317 9955