TUESDAY ASH ALERT – Flights above ash cloud to be permitted
Flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK, the National Air Traffc Service announced this morning.
Airlines hoping to start flying again from London airports today (Tuesday) had faced further uncertainty overnight as a new ash cloud headed towards the UK.
But in a change from the previous stance, the Civil Aviation Authority has agreed, in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, that flights will be able to operate above 20,000ft in UK airspace between 13.00-19.00 today.
This will allow flights between Europe or the Middle East and North America, which would normally fly through UK airspace.
Part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 13.00-19.00 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport, the NATS said.
Restrictions will remain in palce over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.
NATS advice yesterday had indicated that the volcano eruption in Iceland had strenghtened with ash spreading south and east towards the UK.
"Latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation will continue to be variable," NATS said in an update this morning.
NATS added that the situation was likely to change throughout the day and would give another update at 15.00.
Some flights did take off from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports this morning to the Highlands and Islands.
*See linked stories.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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