Hello all.

Today my mother is supposed to be getting on a flight to Trinidad to do some research for a textile piece she is working on. Instead, flights across the United Kingdom and I'd imagine other places are grounded due to an eruption from an Icelandic volcano.

Here is the BBC News article:

Airline passengers are facing massive disruption across the UK after an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded planes.

Airports operator BAA said all flights in and out of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick would be suspended from midday.

In Scotland all airports are shut and most others around the UK have cancelled or suspended flights.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned ash could damage engines.

Passengers were advised to contact their carriers prior to travel.

Experts have warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud would be sufficient to jam aircraft engines.

'Significant disruption'

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were shut as Nats said it was restricting flights "in accordance with international civil aviation policy".

The ash cloud disrupted all flights to and from Manchester with a similar picture at Newcastle airport where all arrivals were cancelled and all outbound flights either cancelled or subject to indefinite delay.

Liverpool's John Lennon airport suspended all flights until at least 1300BST.

British Airways said it had cancelled all domestic flights for the whole of Thursday, which affected flights at London's Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports.

The company said it would refund its passengers or offer the option of rebooking.

Birmingham airport warned of severe disruption with about 90% of flights cancelled, and there were problems reported at East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Cardiff and Bristol.

Most flights were suspended at Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport, with some in and out of Dublin airport also hit.

A Nats spokesman said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over 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."

Engines shut

The European air safety body, Eurocontrol, said the cloud of ash had reached 55,000ft and was expected to move through northern UK and Scotland by 1300BST.

Brian Flynn, assistant head of operations of its central flow management unit, told the BBC: "As it moves toward the Netherlands and Belgium it will dissipate and lose intensity, like any weather phenomenon. But we don't know what the extent of it will be."

VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD

The eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area is the second to occur in a month

This eruption has released ash to significantly greater heights

Volcanic ash contains tiny particles of rock and even glass, which can wreak havoc with machinery

A 1982 BA flight unknowingly flew into an ash cloud, shutting down all four engines

Animated guide: Volcanoes

Further south, five easyJet flights due to depart from Stansted airport in Essex were cancelled, along with all northbound flights from Southampton and Newquay airports.

Bournemouth airport grounded a flight to Dublin but said all other departures were on schedule.

Met Office forecaster Philip Avery said the ash could take several days to clear.

He said: "It is showing up on imagery at the moment, extending down as far as the Faroes but it looks as though the wind will drag it a good deal further south.

"Nats has good cause to be very cautious about this because in about 1982 a British Airways jumbo had the unnerving experience of having all four engines shut down as it flew through a plume of volcanic ash."

There was a nearly identical incident on 15 December 1989 when KLM Flight 867, a B747-400 from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska, flew into the plume of the erupting Mount Redoubt, causing all four engines to fail.

Once the flight cleared the ash cloud, the crew was able to restart each engine and then make a safe landing at Anchorage, but the aircraft was substantially damaged.

Airports in Scotland were the first to suspend flights overnight

A BAA spokesman said: "Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information and should expect disruption in the coming hours.

The Royal Air Force has confirmed it will maintain its search and rescue operations.

A spokesman said: "We will continue to provide full search and rescue cover, however we will consider all requests we get on a case by case basis.

"The ash is mainly affecting the air traffic control radar but we can fly in cloud and reduced visibility.

The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in the country in less than a month.

A Nats spokesperson said the volcano was still erupting.

This is certainly very interesting and I imagine extremely annoying for both my mother and anyone else who may be flying today.

~A.S.

Well the last I heard is that it is only Scotland that is a 'no fly zone'.Until the ash spreads further south I think the majority of England will remain open for air traffic.

Of course I heard all this early this morning and undoubtedly the situation has changed.

It's unfortunate about your mother, I'm sure she was looking forward to flying to do her research.

Really not good for me also, I have a flight back to England from Florida today and I'm supposed to be meeting up with my girlfriend on Saturday.

Well the last I heard is that it is only Scotland that is a 'no fly zone'.Until the ash spreads further south I think the majority of England will remain open for air traffic.

Of course I heard all this early this morning and undoubtedly the situation has changed.

It's unfortunate about your mother, I'm sure she was looking forward to flying to do her research.

I think British Airways has said they aren't letting any flights in or out. I think most other airlines have done the same.

And I think my mum would prefer being on the ground than in an aircraft with all it's engines blown out due to ash clogging them up, to be honest!

Really not good for me also, I have a flight back to England from Florida today and I'm supposed to be meeting up with my girlfriend on Saturday.

I'm sorry about you not being able to see your girlfriend, it must be hard for the two of you. But, at least you get a few more hours in sunny ol' Florida, right?

Give a beach babe a backrub from me!

~A.S.

I'm sorry about you not being able to see your girlfriend, it must be hard for the two of you. But, at least you get a few more hours in sunny ol' Florida, right?

Give a beach babe a backrub from me!

~A.S.

Yeah, it'll be a bit hard although we can see each other another time soon-ish, hopefully... and unfortunately, no I don't. It's a joint flight so I have to flight to Charlotte airport, and then I am catching the flight to Gatwick, or should of been.

And that may be a bit hard considering I am an hour away from the beach.

EDIT: I've just looked outside my window and it's raining.

Edited April 15, 201014 yr by Calanon

Yeah, it'll be a bit hard although we can see each other another time soon-ish, hopefully... and unfortunately, no I don't. It's a joint flight so I have to flight to Charlotte airport, and then I am catching the flight to Gatwick, or should of been.

And that may be a bit hard considering I am an hour away from the beach.

EDIT: I've just looked outside my window and it's raining.

I think Gatwick is where my mother is. I'm monitoring the ash clouds and news reports, so I'll post if anything comes up.

I wouldn't worry, the ash cloud will pass over, and then the flights will resume. You'll be okay

~A.S.

I think Gatwick is where my mother is. I'm monitoring the ash clouds and news reports, so I'll post if anything comes up.

I wouldn't worry, the ash cloud will pass over, and then the flights will resume. You'll be okay

~A.S.

Well I've just watched some of the BBC news on it, and it seems that the ash is high up where the air is quite stagnant, so they are saying it's not likely to move much.

My other half landed just before 12:00 GMT (Heathrow) and is now on bus to Edinburgh (airport was already closed). All UK airspace is now completely closed until 6:00 on friday - good job Zurich -> Heathrow landed ok.

Now its time to tune into BBC live coverage of a huge cloud of ash as it creeps over the UK. Listen to tweets and news updates every 5 minutes as the ash cloud moves another km or two... and another boffin is dredged up to explain how a Volcano works... and another Health advice that it wont be a problem for your health. Alas poor UK. Leaves on the line; ash in the air... Snow in January. What next?

(irony level is high).

My other half landed just before 12:00 GMT (Heathrow) and is now on bus to Edinburgh (airport was already closed). All UK airspace is now completely closed until 6:00 on friday - good job Zurich -> Heathrow landed ok.

Now its time to tune into BBC live coverage of a huge cloud of ash as it creeps over the UK. Listen to tweets and news updates every 5 minutes as the ash cloud moves another km or two... and another boffin is dredged up to explain how a Volcano works... and another Health advice that it wont be a problem for your health. Alas poor UK. Leaves on the line; ash in the air... Snow in January. What next?

(irony level is high).

I don't know how far over the UK it is, but if it starts "snowing", I've done enough of my Geography to know that I should stay inside!

My mother's flight did in fact take off, and they're about 6 hours into it, with another 4 to go. I'd hate to eb on a flight that long. Ugh.

~A.S.

Yeah, I heard on the news Dublin airport is closed too, till "at least" tomorrow morning. Odd news, huh?

Actually not sure where she would land - a few planes have been turned around and returned to their departure countries. Latest is everything in UK is shut down until 7:00 am friday. There will be a new update issued at 20:00 on thursday; with prognosis until 13:00 on friday. Depending upon weather, winds, and any futher explosions from the Volcanoe then it may - or may not - be cleared friday / weekend.

Ive already heard of people taking Eurostar to Paris - but even their the two main airports will close at 18:00 thursday until friday. Northern Germany airspace is limited as is Holland... So it seems to be a good weekend to spend indoors building MOC's of volcanoes. Who will be first?

The airplanes in Norway, Sweden and Denmark are all grounded (UK, Ireland, Belgium and the netherlands too).. France and germany about now also I think.. Our prime minister is stuck in USA and our crown prince is stuck in the UK :P

Might last weeks, they say.

Well it turns out my flight is canceled until next Wednesday...

Well it turns out my flight is canceled until next Wednesday...

that stinks, but safetuy comes first.

I heard about this on my local radio show, and it's quite amazing.

I don't like the idea of a stagnant cloud of ash. It had better be clear by next Wednesday when a certain event takes place in Billund! I've had my flights cancelled once already.

Just to join the fun I should have been flying home from Dublin to Manchester at 1800 today, that was cancelled so booked onto the 0745 to Liverpool tomorrow, which was cancelled.

All flights in Irish Airspace are grounded untill at least 1300 tomorrow. I have booked onto the 1845 from Belfast so will be getting the train up there tomorrow as everything ele was booked up tomorrow.

Hope I can get home soon I have so Lego that has arrived through the post :-( and my wife and baby son are waiting for me.

I'm sorry to hear about some of you being stranded, but just remember, you will be able to return home. The most important thing is to let the ash cloud dissolve - your safety is the most important thing to the airlines and that is why your flights have been delayed.

In the meantime, keep following the news and stay updated.

~A.S.

I remember back in 2006, flying from Amsterdam to Pretoria in South Africa, we did not fly straight, but much more east than normal, over Sudan, Ethiopia etc. to avoid possible ash from an eruption in Congo.

Edited April 15, 201014 yr by Front

Scary stuff. When I first saw this I thought the ash cloud would be over the whole of the UK! Thank the Lord it won't be.

I sympathise with those stuck all over the globe because of it.

I've never been on a plane, and if I was due on one for the first time today and this happened, I would see it as an omen.

I agree, it's better for you guys to be stranded but safe than on a plane coming home, but with the danger presented by the ash. I just hope the ash clears quickly, this could cause massive chaos!

I can now say that my mother has landed safely in Trinidad. Hopefully by the time she gets back (not tomorrow, but next Friday) this whole mess will be cleared up and forgotten

And remember, kids: If ya see "snow" falling, cover your mouth and get the hell inside!

~A.S.

Just to join the fun I should have been flying home from Dublin to Manchester at 1800 today, that was cancelled so booked onto the 0745 to Liverpool tomorrow, which was cancelled.

All flights in Irish Airspace are grounded untill at least 1300 tomorrow. I have booked onto the 1845 from Belfast so will be getting the train up there tomorrow as everything ele was booked up tomorrow.

Hope I can get home soon I have so Lego that has arrived through the post :-( and my wife and baby son are waiting for me.

There's always the old fashioned way - the ferry! I remember the days when the flights were so expensive that the 11 hour ferry crossing to Liverpool or the less tedious Holyhead trip was standard practice for the football teams on weekends away to Liverpool and Blackpool (the latter with multiple train connections). The boats are much faster these days although I expect everyone's had the same idea.

Pretty dramatic situation. Apparently this could go on for days, or even weeks! Possibly even longer than that if the volcano continues to spew ash.

Even if the weather system changes, it might mean that the ash cloud would flow down the eastern side of Canada/US (even if not over land this would continue to stop transatlantic flights).

Wow, this is so sad. All the world leaders canceled their flights to the Polish President's funeral because of this

So thats what that was, i had no idea what was going on

That does prove that i do live under a rock, im like a hermit crab i supose thats not a good thing thougth.

Hopefully everything gets back to normal soon.