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UPDATE: UK flights restricted until Sunday morning

Published: 17/04/2010 - Filed under: News »

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The current ban on flights in and out of the UK will remain largely in place until at 0700 on Sunday April 18.

In its latest statement published at 1445 today, NATS advised:

"The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 0700 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.

"There may be some airspace available within Scotland, Northern Ireland and England north of Leeds up till 1900 (UK time) today, which may enable some domestic flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC. We will be coordinating this closely with airlines and airports.

"We would repeat, it is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport. After 1900 (UK time) today, Met Office forecasts show the ash cloud progressively covering the whole of the UK.

"We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 2100 (UK time), today."

Business Traveller will update this page as more information becomes available.

COMMENTS » 

SiteAdministrator - 15/04/2010 09:04

FLYBE STATEMENT

Flybe, the UK’s Biggest Domestic Airline, can confirm the following headlines from this morning’s flying schedule:

• 565 flights were due to operate today from Flybe’s 38 UK airports. Just 11, mainly to and from the Channel Islands, operated.
• As of 0930, based on NATS advice, all remaining Flybe flights for today, Thursday 15th April have been cancelled.
• 24,764 passengers have been or will be offered alternative flights or refunds, depending on their position.
• All of Flybe’s 71 aircraft will be grounded.
• Flybe operational staff are liaising closely with NATS and Metrological colleagues and will issue further updates as the situation develops.
• Flybe’s Call Centre opening hours will be extended until 2200 this evening on 0871 700 2000

SiteAdministrator - 15/04/2010 09:11

STANSTED STATEMENT

Due to airspace restrictions, in accordance with international regulations as a result of the on-going volcanic activity in Iceland, we anticipate that all flights in and out of Heathrow and Stansted airports will be suspended from 1200 today. Therefore, we strongly advise passengers intending to fly from this time not to travel to the airport today. We will provide further updates as we get more information from air traffic provider NATS.

SiteAdministrator - 15/04/2010 10:00

LOGANAIR STATEMENT

Please find below a statement from Loganair regarding disruption to their services across Scotland today due to the volcanic ash being blown in from Iceland.

Jonathan Hinkles, commercial director for Loganair, said:

“As with other airlines operating in Scotland, Loganair has cancelled all flights throughout its network due to the safety risk posed by the volcanic ash being carried from Iceland by prevailing winds towards the UK.

“At this time, we do not expect to operate any services for the remainder of the day, however this situation could change as we receive updates from Scottish air traffic control. Passengers booked on today’s services will be able to:

• Rebook on any flight within the next seven days where there are available seats, without any additional charge
• Rebook for travel on any flight thereafter and pay any difference in fare
• Obtain a refund for their journey if they decide not to travel in the future

“Our teams will continue to review the situation throughout the day and our customer service staff will do everything we can to assist passengers with their alternative travel plans.”

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 10:06

BMI STATEMENT

All UK & Ireland flights on Thursday 15th cancelled due to volcanic ash

Due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland, all UK and Ireland flights have been cancelled on the 15 April 2010.

Safety is our number one priority and we have taken this decision based on advice from the UK Met Office and Air Traffic Control. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however it is worth noting that all airlines are affected by this unavoidable issue.

Customers wishing to change bookings can rebook within two weeks to travel within four weeks, subject to availability of original booking class. Alternatively, a full refund will be given. Refund conditions apply.

We will continue to update the website with flight information, so please visit flight status for future flights.

SiteAdministrator - 15/04/2010 10:14

VIRGIN ATLANTIC STATEMENT (ON FACEBOOK)

Flight Disruptions and Cancellations due to Volcanic Activity In Iceland

Due to volcanic ash from Iceland the UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have closed parts of UK Airspace that will be affected. As a result flights to and from UK airports will be disrupted.

We are having a few technical issues with our website, which we are working to fix. In the meantime I'll keep you updated on here. If you can let everyone and anyone you know that is due to be travelling today please pass on the following information:

The following flights have been cancelled.

Departing from the UK:

VS75 15 April 2010 Manchester Orlando
VS45 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - New York JFK
VS11 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Boston
VS1 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - New York Newark
VS9 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - New York JFK
VS17 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - New York Newark
VS601 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Johannesburg
VS23 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Los Angeles
VS250 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Shanghai
VS900 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Narita
VS21 15 April 2010 London Heathrow - Washington DC


The following flights have been delayed 24 hours:


VS251 15 April 2010 Shanghai - London Heathrow
VS901 15 April 2010 Tokyo - London Heathrow
VS24 14 April 2010 Los Angeles - London Heathrow
VS 401 15 April 2010 Dubai - London Heathrow
VS 672 15 April 2010 Nairobi- London Heathrow
VS 301 15 April 2010 Delhi - London Heathrow
VS 652 15 April 2010 Lagos - London Heathrow

Passengers on delayed flights should check flight status before departing for the airport:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/flighttimes/index.jsp

Affected passengers should contact their travel agents or for direct bookings only, call our flight disruption line on 0844 209 7706

• Virgin Holidays customers should contact them directly on 0844 557 4002. (Passengers who are overseas should make contact with their local Virgin Holidays representative).

• Virgin Holidays Cruises customers should call 0871 226 8185.

It is our intention to carry passengers to their destination at the earliest opportunity when our flying programme has fully resumed however space is limited and it could take some days before all passengers are accommodated.

We offer our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and disappointment this situation has caused.

Take care

Greg

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 10:20

EMIRATES STATEMENT

The following Emirates flights to the UK today, 15th April 2010, have been cancelled due to a planned closure of UK airspace as an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moves across the country:

London Heathrow (EK29/030, EK03/04 and EK05/06)

London Gatwick (EK09/10)

Manchester (EK17/18 and EK19/20)

Newcastle (EK35/36)

Birmingham (EK39/40 and EK37/38)

Glasgow (EK27/28)

The closure of airspace is in keeping with the safety advice issued by UK air traffic control (ATC). Emirates continues to liaise with the UK and European ATC authorities to monitor the movement of the ash cloud.

Emirates passengers in transit at Dubai today are being provided with hotel accommodation. Passengers that are yet to depart for UK-bound destinations from other Emirates gateways across the network are being contacted through the airline’s call centres and local offices.

The airline has set aside a dedicated check-in area at Emirates Terminal 3 Dubai to look after the requirements of passengers affected by the cancellation of its UK flights today.

At this time no other routes are affected. Please check this page for any further updates.

Emirates advises its passengers to check flight status prior to departure.

Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.

The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft are paramount.

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 10:24

EASYJET STATEMENT

A volcano eruption in Iceland is causing clouds of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. UK Air Traffic Control (NATS) has now closed UK airspace for safety reasons. This means that easyJet, along with all other airlines, is unable to operate flights into or out of the UK. Volcanic ash can cause a significant safety risk. The suspension of operations could last for an extended period. Please keep checking the website for updates or information on any booked flights.

Safety is our number one priority and any flights that pass through affected airspace have been cancelled. All airlines are affected by this unavoidable issue. We thank you for your patience & understanding.

Please check your flight before you travel

If you are flying today, all flights to and from Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham have now been cancelled. Flights from our other UK airports are also cancelled until at least 6pm. Please can you check your flight’s current status on the Flight Departures Checker page at before you travel to the airport.

If your flight is cancelled

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to offer you either:

- A full refund of the cost of your flight and any directly related unflown sector within the same booking (if applicable), back to the original card your flight was paid with, OR

- A free transfer to another flight on the same route within 30 days of the original flight date. If your flight is part of a return trip, you will also be able to change any directly related sector(s) within the same booking free of charge to keep your initial intended length of stay.

This is in accordance with our obligations under EC Regulation 261/2004 Please remember you may also need to separately cancel other elements such as travel insurance, accommodation or car rental.

Once again we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unavoidable safety issue may cause.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/flight_cancellations_15april2010_1.html

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 10:29

RYANAIR STATEMENT

15th April - Severe Flight Disruptions due to Volcanic Ash

Due to volcanic ash from Iceland, European Air Traffic Control has confirmed that for flight safety reasons there will be widespread closures of Northern European airspace leading to severe restrictions on Ryanair flights throughout the day.

Update 09:00:

Airspace closures are causing widespread delays and cancellations as follows today (15th Apr):

From 09:00hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from the UK.

From 10:00hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from Ireland.

From 11:30hrs (local) no further Ryanair flights will operate to/from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Cancellations and delays will continue in to tomorrow and passengers should continue to monitor Live Flight Information

Ryanair apologises sincerely for any inconvenience caused by these disruptions.

http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100414-ICELAND_ASH-GB

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 11:09

ETIHAD STATEMENT

Due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, all UK airports are closed. All Etihad flights to and from the UK today will be cancelled, including:

EY21, Abu Dhabi to Manchester, due to depart at 10.10am local time;

EY22, Manchester to Abu Dhabi, due to depart at 9.05pm local time;

EY17, Abu Dhabi to Heathrow, due to depart at 1.30pm local time;

EY18, Heathrow to Abu Dhabi due to depart at 9.20pm local time; and

EY20, Heathrow to Abu Dhabi, due to depart at 2.45pm local time.

Etihad Airways is monitoring the situation very closely and is in regular contact with the European and UK authorities.

We are communicating with as many customers as possible to advise them of these cancellations.

We will provide an update on any potential further delays or cancellations later today.

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 11:12

AER LINGUS STATEMENT

Further update: Aer Lingus Flight Disruption Information – 12.00 PM

Aer Lingus has confirmed that all remaining scheduled flights departing and arriving at Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast, London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports have been cancelled today Thursday 15 April 2010.

Customers are advised to visit aerlingus.com for up to date information on their flight status. Aer Lingus has activated a change for free and refund request facility on aerlingus.com for affected customers.

Aer Lingus Operations are monitoring the progress of the situation and customers will be updated at regular intervals.

BusinessTraveller - 15/04/2010 11:29

FINNAIR STATEMENT

Finnair flights in UK cancelled due to Volcanic Ash

The UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have cancelled all commercial flights in UK airspace until at least 6pm today.

The official word from the NATS website is:

“From midday today until at least 6pm, there will be no flights permitted in UK controlled airspace other than emergency situations. This has been applied in accordance with international civil aviation policy. We continue to monitor the situation with the Met Office and work closely with airline customers and adjoining countries.”

Those passengers booked to travel on a Finnair flight from either London Heathrow or Manchester airport should contact their booking agent who will move them onto the next available flight or if booked directly through Finnair then contact us through the website at www.finnair.co.uk or phone the customer contact line on +44 (0) 870 241 4411.

Further information on the situation with UK airspace can be found at the NATS website at:

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

Finnair flights will resume as soon as UK airspace allows it. Further information on the situations in both Manchester and London can be found on the airport websites at –

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/

http://www.heathrowairport.com/`

ustadchurmin - 17/04/2010 23:24

Pakistan international airline flights to all UK airports continue to run as scheduled.

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