MANY British airports have been closed today after a massive cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland drifted into UK airspace. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow have been shut and many flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Luton and Birmingham have been cancelled. Officials said other airports could also be affected as the ash drifted over the UK.

Following advice from the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace a result of volcanic ash drifting across the UK from Iceland.

Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information and should expect disruption in the coming hours. Updates will be issued throughout the morning.

More than 100 flights have been cancelled at Gatwick inlcluding the majority of easyJet and Monarch departures.

Manchester Airport said flights would be disrupted between 7am and 1pm. Some easyJet flights due to depart from Stansted Airport were cancelled.

Weather experts also said the ash could take a number of days to disperse.

Forecaster Matt Dobson said: "The concern is that as well as the eruption, the jet stream passing through Iceland is passing in a south easterly direction, which will bring ash to the north of Scotland and Denmark and Norway.

"But it is impossible to say how much ash will come down."

He said the ash could hamper Scotland, Denmark and Norway until Friday.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE...

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 14:00
The cloud of volcanic ash is now spread across the UK and continuing to travel south. In line with international civil aviation policy, no flights other than agreed emergencies are currently permitted in UK controlled airspace. Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that these restrictions will remain in place in UK controlled airspace until 0700 (UK time) tomorrow, Friday 16 April, at the earliest. We will review further Met Office information and at 2000 today (UK time) we will advise the arrangements that will be in place through to 1300 (UK time) tomorrow. We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption. 

* Times adjusted to show UK local rather than standard, global ATC time.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 09:30
From midday today until at least 6pm, there will be no flights permitted in UK controlled airspace other than emergency situations. This has been applied in accordance with international civil aviation policy. We continue to monitor the situation with the Met Office and work closely with airline customers and adjoining countries. We will review the situation later today to understand what further action will be required. It is very unlikely that the situation over England will improve in the foreseeable future.

Statement Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 05:00
NATS has restricted the number of aircraft flying into UK airspace because of an ash cloud caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft. We are monitoring the situation with the Met Office, Eurocontrol and neighbouring countries, and working closely with the airlines to help inform their decisions about their operations. Anyone planning to fly today should check with their airline before going to the airport.

Statement Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 00:40
In accordance with International Civil Aviation policy, we are restricting flights within the area affected by the ash cloud generated by the Icelandic volcanic eruption. At present this is the Northern most part of Scotland but its expected to head south. We took this decision in order to maintain safety. We continue to work with our neighbouring air navigation service providers to minimise the impact on our aviation customers.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Wed April 14, 23:15
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track across Northern Europe tonight. NATS is working with Eurocontrol and our colleagues in Europe's other air navigation service providers to take the appropriate action to ensure safety in accordance with international aviation policy.

If you're affected, below are your rights - courtesy of www.moneysavingexpert.com ...

Will I get a refund?

• If your flight is cancelled at short notice. Airlines must normally either give you a full refund of any unused ticket or offer suitable alternative travel, though the latter option may prove tricky for now.
   
• If your flight is delayed. If by over five hours, you can choose not to travel on the delayed flight and get a refund for that trip and later flights on the same ticket.
   
• If taking a connecting flight. Whether it's cancelled or delayed, if you no longer wish to continue, you are entitled to your money back and a free flight back to your departure point.
   
• How to claim. Contact your airline.

Will I get extra compensation?

You should get food if stuck at the airport for over two hours for a short-haul flight, for up to four hours on medium/long haul.

You should also get overnight accommodation, if appropriate. British Airways, for instance, says it will provide hotel rooms on a case-by-case basis. For example, if you're from overseas and have nowhere to go you're more likely to get accommodation than someone who lives in London and is due to fly from London.

It's unlikely you'll get anything more than your money back or food/accommodation because the volcanic ash is out of the airline's control, and extra compensation is only due when the airline is at fault.

What if I had a hotel/car hire booked at the other end I cannot use?

Contact the relevant provider to get a refund. If unsuccessful, see the travel insurance section below.

If I booked a package?

If your trip's delayed/cancelled, you should either be offered alternative transport or an alternative holiday. If that's unsuitable, you'll get a full refund.

Will travel insurance pay out?

Some insurers may decline a claim as natural disasters can be excluded from policies so it's worth contacting your insurer to find out.

Not all firms will reject claims. Direct Line and Churchill, for instance, state you will be covered if your flight is cancelled, assuming you fit other required criteria.

You must have bought insurance/transport before you knew of the disruption to be eligible, regardless of insurer. And as your airline costs are likely to be covered, you'll usually only need to claim for additional, non-refundable bookings such as accommodation and car hire. 
 

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Volcano Ash Cloud Grounds All UK Flights
Thursday, 15 April 2010
MANY British airports have been closed today after a massive cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland drifted into UK airspace. Aberdeen,...

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