Ryanair, Aer Lingus cancel Scottish flights
Record bookings on Ryanair’s new US website
As another ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano appears across European skies, Scotland has been forced to close its airspace and many flights to and from the country’s airports have been cancelled.
Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus have had to cancel multiple inbound and outbound flights at Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports until 1pm today.
Irish airspace remains open but passengers are advised to check their airlines’ websites before travelling to the airport.
Ryanair has continued its protests against the closure of airspace because of volcanic ash. Last year, the no-frills airline claimed the six day closure of European airspace, which resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights, was an “over-reaction”.
The budget airline says there is no safety risk as a result of the ash cloud, adding it “strongly objected” to the decision as “there is no basis for these flight cancellations”. The company has had to cancel 36 flights this morning.
Aer Lingus has cancelled 20 flights in and out of Scotland today.
The Irish Aviation Authority said last night that it does not expect any disruptions in Irish airspace today but it continues to monitor the situation with the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London.
A total of 252 flights have been cancelled because of the ash cloud over Northern Ireland and Scotland, according to European air traffic controllers.