Volcanic ash cloud flight chaos to hit UK again

UK AIRSPACE was forecast to see closures today and for the next three days as the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud threatened more misery for holidaymakers and business travellers.

Air passengers were already facing days of disruption due to a planned strike by British Airways cabin crew this week. But Met Office officials have predicted the ash cloud could be blown back into UK airspace today until Tuesday, potentially grounding hundreds of flights.

The Department for Transport said: "Different parts of UK airspace are likely to be closed at different times."

Scottish Transport minister Stewart Stevenson yesterday called for further action to clarify advice to passengers as the volcanic ash moves towards Scotland.

He said: "High levels of volcanic activity in Iceland and prevailing weather conditions mean that Scotland is once again facing disruption as aviation authorities consider appropriate steps to protect the travelling public. Passengers are strongly advised to check flight details with their airlines before travelling to the airport. While we recognise the inconvenience further disruption may cause, safety is paramount.

"The Scottish Government is working to ensure that additional capacity is available as necessary on road, rail and on our ferries network to mitigate the impacts, and ministers continue to monitor the situation.

"There will be continuing uncertainty as the volcanic eruptions continue (and] it is vital that the public get the clearest advice possible".

A Met Office spokeswoman said the volcano became more active yesterday but it was not easy to predict how it would behave in future.

She said the ash plume was currently reaching heights of up to 25,000 feet (7,620 metres) and winds blowing from the north-west mean there was the risk of ash being blown into UK airspace.

She said: "If the volcano decides to stop erupting in the next six hours the charts will be very different."

The wind direction is expected to change in the middle of next week and will blow from the south-west, taking ash away from the UK.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to reduce some of the uncertainty, ministers agreed yesterday that a five-day ash prediction chart should be put on the Met Office website, increasing the forecast from its current 18 hours.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said passenger safety was his top priority as the cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano approached.

He added: "The government is carefully monitoring this situation."

The prediction of airport closures until Tuesday morning is based on continuing volcanic activity in Iceland and prevailing weather conditions.

Nats, the UK air traffic services provider, will announce airspace restrictions and passengers are advised to check with airlines before going to airports.

Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are likely to experience grounded flights and delays, with major knock-on effects at Scottish airports.

Meanwhile, Hammond is to hold talks with leaders of the Unite union and BA executives tomorrow, hours before the first of a series of five-day walkouts is due to start. The minister said the strikes would "ultimately be self-defeating".

A Department for Transport spokesman said Hammond would meet both sides separately "to urge them to get back around the negotiating table and reach a settlement".

The meetings will be held on the same day BA goes back to the High Court to attempt to stop the strikes. Hammond said: "This strike is extremely bad news for passengers, British Airways and its employees. I understand how difficult it can be when people's jobs have to change, but a prolonged series of strikes will weaken the company and put those jobs at risk.

"Aviation is a challenging market and BA must remain competitive, so this strike will ultimately be self-defeating. I urge both parties to resolve their dispute to avoid disruption to passengers and safeguard the future of BA."

Members of Unite are due to walk out from 18-22 May inclusive, then from 24-28 May, 30 May-3 June and 5-9 June, the last strike ending just days before the start of the football World Cup in South Africa.

A Unite spokesman said: "The way to settle this long-running dispute is through negotiation, not in the courtroom."

• The new Met Office five-day prediction charts

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