Ash cloud causes major air travel disruption after the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökul volcano in Iceland.
The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökul is continuing to erupt, though it is no longer producing as much ash. A plume of ash has now spread eastwards across Europe and is likely to cause restrictions to air travel for at least 24 hours. Travellers at Dublin Airport now face the daunting task of figuring out how they will get home.
Irish air space reopened today, but spreading volcanic ash has forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights this weekend.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary announced the cancellation of all Irish, UK and Northern European flights until Monday. Declan Carney of Aer Lingus also announced the cancellation of flights apart from transatlantic flights. The government's emergency task force is meeting to discuss the developing situation. Denis Daly of the Irish Aviation Authority says they will respond to the situation as it develops.
Over 100,000 passengers due to travel in and out of Ireland have already had their plans disrupted.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 April 2010. The reporter is Sharon Tobin.
