IAA lifts restrictions on Shannon and Cork
15-Apr-2010 The Irish Aviation Authority has announced that it is lifting restrictions, with immediate effect, on flights to and from the State airports at Cork and Shannon and some of the regional airports.
However, as the latest reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London indicate that the ash cloud is still over the east coast, the restrictions will remain in force at Dublin airport until, at least, 11 am on Friday, 16th April. Restrictions also remain in force in large parts of the UK and Northern Europe.
This decision is based on the predicted path of the ash plume which shows a move to the east and south of Ireland. This will allow transatlantic flights and internal flights to take off and land at Shannon.
Mr. Donie Mooney, Director of Operations at the Irish Aviation Authority said that the Authority is satisfied that it is safe to fly to and from the State airports/regional airports on the western coast.
"We will continue to closely monitor the weather and once it is safe to fly into the east coast we will lift the restrictions at Dublin Airport when it is deemed safe to do so. We advise anybody booked on flights tomorrow to check with their airlines on a regular basis.
"Our priority is the safety of the pilots, crews and passengers on all flights. So we will not lift restrictions until we are satisfied that it is 100% safe to fly," he said.
The IAA will provide an update on the restrictions after 11 am on Friday, 16th April 2010.