LONDON, Apr 16 – A ban on flights in English-controlled airspace has been extended into Saturday "at the earliest", officials said Friday, but some flights in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be allowed.
"The cloud of volcanic ash continues to cover much of the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues," said the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages British airspace.
"Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in English-controlled airspace will remain in place until 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday 17 April, at the earliest."
That will take the ban to 0100 GMT.
The volcanic ash has spread across northern Europe, cancelling thousands of flights and closing airspace in a number of countries including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
NATS said flights in Northern Ireland and islands off Scotland\’s west coast to and from Scotland\’s main airports will continue to be allowed until 1800 GMT "subject to individual co-ordination."
From 1800 GMT "Scottish airspace may be able to accept domestic flights within Scotland and Northern/southern Ireland, and North Atlantic flights to/from airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland," it added.
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