Guardian UK: New volcanic ash cloud threatens attempts to reopen UK airspace

[marmar]

New volcanic ash cloud threatens attempts to reopen UK airspace

• Flight ban to stay in place for 'main London airports'
• Nats says volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened
• Hopes remain to open Scottish and some English airspace

James Meikle, Dan Milmo and Jonathan Haynes
guardian.co.uk, Monday 19 April 2010


A gradual reopening of UK airspace is in jeopardy tonight after a new cloud of volcanic ash began heading for the UK.

Earlier air traffic controllers had said relaxation of the flight ban would be able to begin in Scotland from 7am and later lift across the rest of the UK.

But tonight the national air traffic authority, Nats, said since its last advice the volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a "new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK".

It said that the latest information from the Met Office shows the situation "is worsening in some areas" and that it does not expect airspace to be able to open as far south as the "main London airports" tomorrow.

The situation for Northern Irish airports in the morning is uncertain, due to the new cloud, though Scottish airports should be available from 7am, Nats said, and more airspace over England may become available from 1pm. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/19/iceland-volcano-airspace-open-forecast