**Aviation authorities in the Irish Republic say flights in and out of the country will be banned because of possible risks from volcanic ash.**The new ban will apply from 0700 to 1300 (0600-1200 GMT) on Tuesday.
Ash levels from a volcano in Iceland were predicted to exceed acceptable levels for jet engines, the Irish Aviation Authority said on Monday.
Flights over Europe were banned for six days last month because of fears of the effect of volcanic ash on jet engines.
The IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) said over-flights from the UK and continental Europe would not be affected.
The decision was made after the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC) said a plume of ash from a volcano in Iceland was drifting towards Ireland.
But IAA Chief Executive Eamon Brennan said he was hopeful the flight restrictions could be eased later on Tuesday.
“We are quite optimistic that it will dissipate and we are quite optimistic for Dublin and for Shannon tomorrow afternoon but we will make a reassessment for that in the morning.”
Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said closed airspace over Scotland’s Outer Hebrides from 1800 local time on Monday.
This means that flights to and from Barra and Benbecula are unable to operate.
The CAA added there would be no other restrictions over UK airspace before at least 0700 BST Tuesday and that the situation would be reviewed during the night.
Hundreds of flights have been affected, including:
All Aer Lingus flights to and from Ireland’s main airports to the UK and Europe scheduled before 1300 have been cancelled All Ryanair flights into and out of the Irish Republic and Belfast in Northern Ireland until 1400 have been cancelled Will your travel plans be affected by the re-imposed flight bans? Send us your comments Click here to add comments..
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