22/04/2010

Flight Schedules Returning To Normal

The backlog of flights is beginning to clear after seven days of disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

Airlines are putting on extra flights to bring home thousands of Irish passengers left stranded abroad.

However, passengers are still being advised is to confirm their booking before they travel to the airport and to expect delays.

Aer Lingus resumed a partial service yesterday afternoon and today the airline has confirmed that all its flights between Ireland and Britain, Europe and the US are scheduled to operate as normal.

Ryanair has said all its flights in northern Europe resumed this morning at 5am, with the exception of flights between Ireland and Britain, which will resume tomorrow at 5am.

The Irish Aviation Authority has warned it could take some days for a full service to be restored.

Across the border, flight schedules are also starting to get back to normal with flights in and out of both the Belfast International and City airports becoming increasingly regular as the airlines set about the challenge of recovering stranded passengers.

The six-day ban on UK air travel came to an end at 10pm on Tuesday when it was announced that restrictions would be eased.

NI's three airports say they are operating full schedules but warned of possible delays.

Stranded travellers started to return home on Wednesday but it could be a number of days before service returns to normal.

Passengers should still check with their airlines before travelling.

Uel Hoey from Belfast International Airport said it had been a "busy morning at the airport".

"All flights are operating, some with delays, with the exception of Bmi baby flights which are expected to resume later on Thursday."

A spokesperson for George Best Belfast City Airport said: "We are expecting to run a full schedule with the exception of Ryanair, who are due to resume flights between the UK and Ireland at 5am on Friday.

All scheduled services to and from City of Derry Airport are expected to operate normally today with the exception of the Ryanair service to London Stansted this evening.

The airport is reminding passengers that the situation remains subject to change at short notice and that delays are possible as the backlogs are cleared.

(BMcC/GK)

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