Ash cloud will be back when winds change, say scientists
Irish photographer Peter Cox Iceland and took this dramatic picture of the erupting volcano.
IRISH airspace was due to open early today -- but experts warned that eruptions from the Icelandic volcano could continue for months and cause further travel chaos.
The British Geological Survey warned that although not as severe as April, the explosive activity from Eyjafjallajokull was increasing, resulting in more ash being generated.
Dr Kathryn Goodenough said the volcano would continue to erupt for "months" and no-fly zones across Ireland and Europe would become a feature of travelling.
"This is nothing unusual," she said. "By Icelandic standards it's small to moderate. The reason we're affected so much is the winds.
Erupts
"Realistically this volcano is likely to carry on for days, weeks or months. When the winds are north westerly, the ash will be brought to our airspace. A volcano erupts in Iceland every five years, and this sort of thing will happen again in the future."
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) last night lifted the no-fly zone across much of the country, which allowed flights to resume in and out of the country from early this morning.
"The IAA appreciates the difficulties facing passengers and airlines at this time," it said. "In the interest of safety, and to avoid confusion, the IAA bases all of its decisions about airspace restrictions on data provided by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre and Eurocontrol. Decisions are taken solely on the grounds of safety."
Airlines have advised passengers to check their websites for up-to-date information on flights. Passengers are also being texted information.
Met Eireann said the ash plume would move throughout today because of a change in wind direction.
"It looks like the winds will change to our benefit to north-easterly from Thursday and it should last for a few days and keep the ash at bay out in the Atlantic," forecaster Pat Clarke said. "The ash over us on Wednesday will be pushed out during today but this could take until late afternoon."
But a no-fly zone could be reimposed if the wind changes direction and pushes the plume back towards us, resulting in further chaos for passengers as the summer season kicks off.
The Dublin Airport Authority said 165 flights carrying 20,000 passengers left before the airport was closed at 11am but 285 flights were cancelled, affecting 40,000 people.
Aer Lingus said it cancelled 133 flights to and from Irish airports, affecting 17,700 passengers. A full transatlantic schedule will operate. While most short-haul services will operate, "some disruption" is expected.
Ryanair cancelled 200 flights, affecting 30,000 people.
A spokesman for Ryanair said last night the airline expects no disruption to flights at Dublin, Knock, Cork or UK airports today.
Flights to and from Shannon however are not expected to operate until after 10am, while in Kerry, all operations before 8.50am have been cancelled.
The spokesman said Ryanair will operate extra flights between Ireland and the UK this afternoon and this evening -- and all passengers who had flights cancelled will be accommodated at some point today.
Cancelled
Aer Arann cancelled 26 flights, while Flybe cancelled flights to and from Belfast.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey reconvened the government taskforce on emergency planning, which will meet this morning to discuss the impact of the ash cloud.
Ferry companies said their bookings have doubled but still had space for ferry crossings today to cope with demand.
Stena Line said it had 300 extra bookings and expected people to use ferries as the "uncertainty" continued.
Bus Eireann said extra coaches had been laid on from Dublin to London.
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent
