Airports Clearing Backlog as Ash Cloud Moves East

Submitted by edg on Wed, 25 May '11 8.49am

Scottish airports are trying to get back to normal as the ash cloud from the Grimsvötn volcano in Iceland disperses out of UK airspace. However, disruption is expected to continue as airports clear the backlog caused by yesterday's delays. Flights to Germany, Denmark, and Northern Europe are also being impacted  as the ash cloud drifts Eastwards.

The latest update from NATS, at 9pm yesterday, said: "Latest information from the Met Office shows that following the recent eruption of Grímsvötn in Iceland, no volcanic ash is currently predicted in airspace over the UK from 0100 UK time on Wednesday 25th May.

As the volcano continues to erupt, NATS will continue to monitor the latest Met Office information and further updates will be provided if and when the situation changes."

Around 500 flights across Europe have been cancelled, and thousands of passengers affected, after parts of British airspace were closed. Passengers ended up sleeping on the terminal floor at Edinburgh Airport - in some cases, for two nights.

The British Red Cross provided mats, blankets, water, and food.

Edinburgh Airport said this morning: "By the end of today we hope to be running a full service at Edinburgh Airport. We still advise passengers to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport as a number of flights may be disrupted as services return to normal."

Travellers to Northern Europe are among those likely to experience delays. Easyjet's update at 7.05am today said:

"German Airspace Authority has announced the closure of Hamburg between 05:00hrs and 13:00hrs GMT. Further closures are expected later in the morning for Berlin Schonefeld and Tegel. Flights to and from Denmark are also affected."

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