Two of the lads from our office at home were meant to flying here from Dublin for the weekend tomorrow. It's not looking likely now since Dublin airport is pretty much shut now.
All UK Airports Closed Due To Volcano Ash Share Share Comments (56)
Damien Pearse and Huw Borland, Sky News Online
All UK airports - including Gatwick and Heathrow - have been closed after a massive cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland drifted into UK airspace.To view this content you need Flash and Javascript enabled in your browser.
Please download Flash from the Adobe download website.
Thousands of flights across the UK have been cancelled leaving passengers facing massive disruption.
UK airspace will be closed from 12pm to 6pm, apart from emergencies.
That includes military flights through RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire, the main airbridge to Afghanistan.
BA said that all its flights were cancelled until tommorow morning at the earliest.
An internal BA memo obtained by Sky News advises pilots: "The safety of our customers, crew and aircraft is of paramount importance and will not be compromised."
Planes grounded at Glasgow airport following the cloud of volcanic ash
Travellers were also bracing themselves for major knock-on disruption tomorrow.
Latest travel information - read how each of the airports is affected here.
Airports are urging travellers to contact their airlines' websites to check whether their journeys are affected.
Air space in Scandinavian countries including Denmark and Norway has also been closed.
The ash cloud from Iceland represents a risk to aircraft since it can damage engines. But in this instance it won't affect the weather - although massive and prolonged eruptions can cause a cooling of the climate.
Sky weather presenter Lucy Verasamy
A spokesman from National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.
"From midday today until at least 6pm, there will be no flights permitted in UK controlled airspace other than emergency situations."
See a map showing current air traffic flow as it changes in real time across the UK
Sky's Enda Brady, reporting from Heathrow, said: "I've been told that there won't be any good news coming out of the airport today."
A Nasa image of the volcano
Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable cancelled campaign visits to Dunfermline and Edinburgh due to the Scottish airport closures.
Tory leader David Cameron, on the election campaign trail in Halifax, said the closures were a "very worrying" situation.
Passengers told Sky about massive disruptions to their plans.
One said: "I'm due to get married in Essex tomorrow and my family were flying in from Belfast. That's not going to happen now."
::Watch the latest breaks on the airport chaos live on Sky Player::
Another said he had been sent home from Manchester airport and told to ring Monarch for more information but it was impossible to get through.
The volcanic eruption was the second in Iceland in less than a month.
Lava spurts from an eruption in March
The heat from it is so fierce it melted part of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, sparking huge floods.
Weather experts also said the ash could take a number of days to disperse.
Dr Matthew Roberts, from the Iceland Meteorological Office, told Sky News he believed that there were unlikely to be any more explosions.
LATEST FROM THE WEBWhat's this?Volcanic Ash Disrupts UK AirportsTweetsPictures RT @britesprite: Fun pictures of circulation of ash from met office http://is.gd/btBsn #ashtag #volcanicash #ukash by DamianGrounds
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:04:23
I've just panic bought a canary. I figured when that dies from toxic gases in the atmosphere that's when we really have to worry. #ukash by nickhucks
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:02:57
RT @benmarsh: I've set up a #ukash map (#uksnow style) at http://ukash.benmarsh.co.uk - Send your reports and photos! 🙂 #ashtag #ukvolcano by stevenjenkinson
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:02:39
RT @robertbland: RT @exitthelemming: Remarkable pictures of the Icelandic volcano: http://tinyurl.com/y6crn46 by GreatMindsLtd
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:58:46
Icelandic volcano fears see hundreds forced to evacuate - http://bit.ly/af1WAz by brit_info
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:58:25
Steam Pump - Eyjafjallajökull Eruption http://flic.kr/p/7PRyU8 by fsighieri
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:55:53
RT @orlaghmurphy: Stunning photos of #Eyjafjallajokull actvity: http://bit.ly/chJGKt by neilflood
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:55:14
http://www.izles.net/gTKW_9HXWk5/volcano-eruption-of-eyjafjallajokull-iceland.html title=Volcano Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland by iliadis4u
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:49:11
the Eyjafjallajokull VOLCANO will still influence North Europe & West Russia tomorrow~~ http://0rz.tw/vGUOs by kerryeva
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:47:53
In Iceland, hundreds have fled from floodwaters rising since the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier erupted Wednesday by FakerParis1
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:47:48
See more
Eyjafjallajokullby dalli58Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:33
Volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajokull glacier Iceland by zaqzaqat
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:29
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland by Snaptwit
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:28
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. by meiazn
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:25
Kids! Do NOT try this at home! #icerupt #topgear by arctictrucks
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:23:30
Pretty cool image of the volcano here in Icelandthanks to www.mbl.is by Maddyth
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:17:40
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. by meiazn
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:17:32
Last updated: 2010-04-15 11:07:59
He said that the fine ash particles being blown across Europe should only "pose minimal health hazards" to people in the UK.
The volcanic ash jams machinery on planes and there have been many instances of damage to jet aircraft in the past.
After the Galunggung volcanic event in 1982, a British Airways Boeing 747 flew through an ash cloud that fouled all 4 engines, stopping them.
The plane descended from 36,000 feet (11,000m) to 12,000 feet (3,700m) before the crew could manage to restart the engines.
Volcanology expert Professor Chris MacLeod, of Cardiff University, told Sky News Online said disruption could continue for some time.
He said: "It's possible it could go on for quite some time - maybe a week or two - before it fully disperses."
He added: "Even if the eruptions stopped now, it's not going to clear up in the next 24 hours. I suspect flights could be grounded for some time."
Sky weather presenter Lucy Verasamy said: "The ash cloud from Iceland represents a risk to aircraft since it can damage engines.
"But in this instance it won't affect the weather - although massive and prolonged eruptions can cause a cooling of the climate."
All UK Airports Closed Due To Volcano Ash Share Share Comments (56)
Damien Pearse and Huw Borland, Sky News Online
All UK airports - including Gatwick and Heathrow - have been closed after a massive cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland drifted into UK airspace.To view this content you need Flash and Javascript enabled in your browser.
Please download Flash from the Adobe download website.
Thousands of flights across the UK have been cancelled leaving passengers facing massive disruption.
UK airspace will be closed from 12pm to 6pm, apart from emergencies.
That includes military flights through RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire, the main airbridge to Afghanistan.
BA said that all its flights were cancelled until tommorow morning at the earliest.
An internal BA memo obtained by Sky News advises pilots: "The safety of our customers, crew and aircraft is of paramount importance and will not be compromised."
Planes grounded at Glasgow airport following the cloud of volcanic ash
Travellers were also bracing themselves for major knock-on disruption tomorrow.
Latest travel information - read how each of the airports is affected here.
Airports are urging travellers to contact their airlines' websites to check whether their journeys are affected.
Air space in Scandinavian countries including Denmark and Norway has also been closed.
The ash cloud from Iceland represents a risk to aircraft since it can damage engines. But in this instance it won't affect the weather - although massive and prolonged eruptions can cause a cooling of the climate.
Sky weather presenter Lucy Verasamy
A spokesman from National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.
"From midday today until at least 6pm, there will be no flights permitted in UK controlled airspace other than emergency situations."
See a map showing current air traffic flow as it changes in real time across the UK
Sky's Enda Brady, reporting from Heathrow, said: "I've been told that there won't be any good news coming out of the airport today."
A Nasa image of the volcano
Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable cancelled campaign visits to Dunfermline and Edinburgh due to the Scottish airport closures.
Tory leader David Cameron, on the election campaign trail in Halifax, said the closures were a "very worrying" situation.
Passengers told Sky about massive disruptions to their plans.
One said: "I'm due to get married in Essex tomorrow and my family were flying in from Belfast. That's not going to happen now."
::Watch the latest breaks on the airport chaos live on Sky Player::
Another said he had been sent home from Manchester airport and told to ring Monarch for more information but it was impossible to get through.
The volcanic eruption was the second in Iceland in less than a month.
Lava spurts from an eruption in March
The heat from it is so fierce it melted part of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, sparking huge floods.
Weather experts also said the ash could take a number of days to disperse.
Dr Matthew Roberts, from the Iceland Meteorological Office, told Sky News he believed that there were unlikely to be any more explosions.
LATEST FROM THE WEBWhat's this?Volcanic Ash Disrupts UK AirportsTweetsPictures RT @britesprite: Fun pictures of circulation of ash from met office http://is.gd/btBsn #ashtag #volcanicash #ukash by DamianGrounds
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:04:23
I've just panic bought a canary. I figured when that dies from toxic gases in the atmosphere that's when we really have to worry. #ukash by nickhucks
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:02:57
RT @benmarsh: I've set up a #ukash map (#uksnow style) at http://ukash.benmarsh.co.uk - Send your reports and photos! 🙂 #ashtag #ukvolcano by stevenjenkinson
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:02:39
RT @robertbland: RT @exitthelemming: Remarkable pictures of the Icelandic volcano: http://tinyurl.com/y6crn46 by GreatMindsLtd
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:58:46
Icelandic volcano fears see hundreds forced to evacuate - http://bit.ly/af1WAz by brit_info
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:58:25
Steam Pump - Eyjafjallajökull Eruption http://flic.kr/p/7PRyU8 by fsighieri
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:55:53
RT @orlaghmurphy: Stunning photos of #Eyjafjallajokull actvity: http://bit.ly/chJGKt by neilflood
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:55:14
http://www.izles.net/gTKW_9HXWk5/volcano-eruption-of-eyjafjallajokull-iceland.html title=Volcano Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland by iliadis4u
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:49:11
the Eyjafjallajokull VOLCANO will still influence North Europe & West Russia tomorrow~~ http://0rz.tw/vGUOs by kerryeva
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:47:53
In Iceland, hundreds have fled from floodwaters rising since the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier erupted Wednesday by FakerParis1
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:47:48
See more
Eyjafjallajokullby dalli58Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:33
Volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajokull glacier Iceland by zaqzaqat
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:29
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland by Snaptwit
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:28
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. by meiazn
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:43:25
Kids! Do NOT try this at home! #icerupt #topgear by arctictrucks
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:23:30
Pretty cool image of the volcano here in Icelandthanks to www.mbl.is by Maddyth
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:17:40
The volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. by meiazn
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:17:32
Last updated: 2010-04-15 11:07:59
He said that the fine ash particles being blown across Europe should only "pose minimal health hazards" to people in the UK.
The volcanic ash jams machinery on planes and there have been many instances of damage to jet aircraft in the past.
After the Galunggung volcanic event in 1982, a British Airways Boeing 747 flew through an ash cloud that fouled all 4 engines, stopping them.
The plane descended from 36,000 feet (11,000m) to 12,000 feet (3,700m) before the crew could manage to restart the engines.
Volcanology expert Professor Chris MacLeod, of Cardiff University, told Sky News Online said disruption could continue for some time.
He said: "It's possible it could go on for quite some time - maybe a week or two - before it fully disperses."
He added: "Even if the eruptions stopped now, it's not going to clear up in the next 24 hours. I suspect flights could be grounded for some time."
Sky weather presenter Lucy Verasamy said: "The ash cloud from Iceland represents a risk to aircraft since it can damage engines.
"But in this instance it won't affect the weather - although massive and prolonged eruptions can cause a cooling of the climate."
