The volcanic ash cloud continues to change shape and two key areas affect operations stretching from the South of England to Northern Ireland, and over much of mainland Scotland to the Shetland Isles.
As a result, no-fly zones have been imposed by the CAA in these areas, for the period 0700 local until 1300 local today (Monday).
Airports within the no-fly zones include all those in Northern Ireland, Ronaldsway, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Northern Scotland. Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol and Farnborough are also in the no-fly zone. Heathrow and Gatwick airports will be clear of the no-fly zone however restrictions will have to be applied due to their close proximity to the zone, particularly affecting Gatwick inbounds.
Information on airports in southern Ireland can be obtained from the Irish Aviation Authority website (www.iaa.ie).
The Met Office and the CAA are working closely with NATS which agrees no-fly zones based on Met Office data, and are liaising with the airlines and the airports accordingly.
For further information please refer to the following websites; www.baa.com, www.ba.co.uk and www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice
The Inntel Team have identified those travellers whose travel plans today may be affected and we are working through this list to make contact and assist. Could we please ask that bookers and travellers with non urgent flight plans postpone their calls to us until this latest crisis is over.
Following the latest updated forecast from the UK Met Office, the CAA can confirm that some airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland will be closed from 07:00 local time today.
This will mean that from 07:00 until 13:00 local time we expect the following airports to be closed:
Scotland
Glasgow
Prestwick
Inverness
Stornoway
Benbecula
Tiree
Islay
Barra
Campbeltown
Northern Ireland
Derry
Between 13:00 and 19:00 local time we expect the following airports to be closed:
Scotland
Glasgow
Prestwick
Stornoway
Benbecula
Tiree
Islay
Barra
Campbeltown
Northern Ireland
Belfast International
Belfast City
Derry
Current forecasts show that the 60 nautical mile buffer zone imposed around high concentrations of ash may be close to the following airports:
Edinburgh
Carlisle
Blackpool
Liverpool
Manchester
However, based on current forecasts CAA has assessed that these airports can safely remain open, but passengers should check with their airline before travelling to the airport, as the situation is dynamic.
The CAA will continue to provide an update to the situation and the list of airports when further Met Office forecasts are available.
The situation remains changeable, so passengers expecting to travel today from airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north of England and North Wales should contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.
Based on current forecasts, the CAA does not expect airports in the South East of England to be affected.
To enable the Inntel Travel Team to serve all clients in the most optimum manner, we ask that you seek the latest information directly from the relevant airlines and airports. You may find the following websites useful:
BAA Airports
British Airways
BBC News
UK Civil Aviation Authority
The Inntel Travel Team is pleased to announce that nearly all of our clients who have been stranded abroad over the last week are now successfully repatriated. Although flights have resumed, many have not yet returned to full scheduling and we would like to remind bookers and travellers that airlines are taking a firm stance on how they are prioritising bookings.
British Airways have asked agents not to make duplicate bookings or wait lists, and reserve the right to cancel all bookings if this occurs.
Virgin Atlantic are still not accepting any new bookings for travel from now up to and including Friday 30 April 2010. Please be aware that even if the passenger’s return flight is after Friday 30 April 2010, they will not be able to accept this booking.
We therefore again ask that those who have plans to commence new trips from the UK in the next 24 to 72 hours, reconsider if their journey is vital in light of the limitations being imposed by the airlines. If your trip is essential then please be aware that the Inntel Travel Team are unable to make duplicate bookings and your first choice of route may not be available. It may also take longer than usual for us to secure your itinerary.
Up to date information can still be obtained from the respective airline’s website. The following links may be useful: www.ba.com and www.virginatlantic.com
Thank you for your understanding and support.
UK airspace re-opened at 2200 last night and with most airports now open flights are resuming. There will however still be a backlog for several days to come as aircraft and crews re-position.
Inntel is still experiencing high call volumes but we anticipate and hope that this will become more manageable as the week progresses.
Our main priority still continues to be the repatriation of our clients, for whom today is the first opportunity many have had to secure a flight home. The airlines are advising that passengers with a current ticket are being given priority. Those affected by cancellations are being put on waiting lists.
Please could we therefore reiterate to both bookers and travellers that only essential calls to Inntel’s Travel Desk for the purpose of repatriating stranded passengers should be made today as calls of a non essential nature will result in delays in dealing with the highest priority bookings.
Those who have plans to commence new trips from the UK in the next 24 to 72 hours may wish to reconsider whether their journey is vital in light of anticipated delays continuing until the weekend. If your trip is essential then please expect that your first choice of route may not be available and that it may take longer than usual to secure your itinerary.
Inntel continues to offer its full support and we look forward to seeing all of our travellers repatriated in the next 24 hours, or on their way to their chosen destination.
The Inntel Travel Team and our Emergency Out of Hours Service Team continue to work extended hours with increased staffing levels to assist travellers in making alternative travel plans. We are in contact with all clients stranded abroad and many are now back or well on their way home.
The situation regarding the volcanic ash from Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation today will continue to be variable.
Based on today’s Met Office information, part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1300-1900 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.
Even if the ban is permanently lifted the cancellation of flights will last at least several more days and scheduling and availability will be disrupted as aircraft and crew reposition themselves.
Inntel is still experiencing very high call volumes and we anticipate this to be the case for several days to come, longer if the ban continues.
Please could you therefore reiterate to both bookers and travellers that only essential calls to Inntel’s Travel desk for the purpose of repatriating stranded passengers should be made, as calls of a non essential nature will result in delays in dealing with the highest priority bookings.
Below is a list of useful website addresses:
We strongly recommend that those travellers with intended travel plans originating from the UK for days ahead do not contact Inntel’s Travel desk until such time that either the ban is lifted and / or the relevant airport / airline website has been referred to.
Airport |
Quick Web Links |
Aberdeen |
|
Birmingham |
|
Bristol |
|
Cardiff |
|
Edinburgh |
|
Gatwick |
|
Glasgow |
|
Heathrow |
|
Leeds Bradford |
|
Liverpool |
|
Luton |
|
Manchester |
|
Newcastle |
|
Prestwick |
|
Southampton |
|
Stansted |
Inntel continues to offer its full support and we will keep clients updated on a daily basis. We would also like to pass on our thanks to the many clients who have taken the trouble to write and thank the team for their tireless efforts.
Further to the continued flight restrictions across the UK, the Inntel Travel Team worked over the weekend to assist travellers in making alternative travel plans as well as supporting the Emergency Out of Hours Service, who understandably were inundated with calls. We are pleased to confirm that we were successful in contacting 95% of our clients stranded abroad.
As the crisis continues, the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has advised that UK flights will be suspended until at least 1am tomorrow (Tuesday). There is however, a possibility that the ban may be partially lifted on Tuesday afternoon.
Unfortunately the back log and the repositioning of aircraft will have a knock on effect for scheduling and availability for several days after the ban is lifted.
As a reminder, if you do have a booking affected by these events then most airlines will either offer the opportunity of re- booking, subject to availability, or a full refund.
We still encourage all bookers and travellers to check with the airlines and airports through their respective websites as the Inntel Travel Team are limited in what we can do at this moment in time. The following links may be useful - www.baa.com, www.ba.co.uk and www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice
Our main priority is to repatriate those still abroad. Therefore, if your enquiry is not urgent and relates to travel bookings for later in the week and beyond, can we ask that in the first instance you check with the websites referred to above and only call the Inntel Team once bookings can again be made. This will enable us to focus on assisting those travellers whose immediate travel plans are affected by these events.
Inntel’s Emergency Out of Hours service will continue to operate and assist wherever possible but we ask that consideration is given to the fact that they too will be subject to the same limitations governed by these unfortunate and unique circumstances.
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has advised that UK flights will be suspended until at least 7pm tonight (Friday) and possibly 1am tomorrow (Saturday). Travellers should be prepared for this ban to be extended further.
In any case the back log and the repositioning of aircraft will have a knock on effect for scheduling and availability until early next week.
If you have a booking affected by these events then most airlines will either offer the opportunity of re-booking, subject to availability, or a full refund.
We still encourage all bookers and travellers to check with the airlines and airports through their respective websites as the Inntel Travel Team are limited in what we can do at this moment in time. The following links may be useful - www.baa.com, www.ba.co.uk and www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice
If your enquiry is not urgent and relates to travel bookings for next week and beyond, can we ask you to call back on Monday enabling us to focus on assisting those travellers whose immediate travel plans are affected by these events.
Over the course of the weekend Inntel’s Emergency Out of Hours service will operate and will assist wherever possible but we ask that consideration is given to the fact that they too will be subject to the same limitations governed by these unfortunate and unique circumstances.
British airports have been closed after an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland has drifted southwards into UK airspace.
For the latest updates on airport closures and airline scheduling please refer directly to the relevant airline or airport websites.
In the meantime, your Inntel Travel Team will assist to the best of our ability re-scheduling your travel plans once airports are open again