Volcanic ash forces airlines into mass cancellations – UPDATED
British Airways is offering full refunds or re-bookings for passengers whose flights have been cancelled due to disruption caused by ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
BA said it would not be able to operate flights after 11.30 today from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport.
All BA domestic services have already been cancelled today (Thursday).
Ryanair cancelled all flights to and from the UK from 09.00.
Flybe stopped flights from 09.30 affecting 24,764 passengers who will be offered alternative flights or refunds. Only 11 out of 565 flights operated today from the 38 UK airports the airline uses.
Uk air space is expected to be closed until 18.00 at the earliest, but most airlines do not expected to resume flights until tomorrow morning if the all clear is given.
"For safety reasons and on the direction from Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) a decision has been made to cancel a number of flights and close all London airports," BA said.
"As a result all airlines will be impacted and we will therefore not be able to operate services after 11.30 from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City."
The measures came as the plume of volcanic ash spread southwards towards northern Europe and is "severely affecting" all airlines’ flights in the area, BA’s website said.
Passengers are being advised to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.
*See linked story.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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