Flights misery continues as ash cloud worsens
ALL FLIGHTS in and out of the UK were again cancelled today as a "worsening" cloud of volcanic ash caused a fourth day of misery for travellers.
ALL FLIGHTS in and out of the UK were again cancelled today as a "worsening" cloud of volcanic ash caused a fourth day of misery for travellers.
There will be no flights until at least 1am tomorrow (Monday, April 19).
Birmingham Airport, which was deserted on Saturday, said lost revenue could be as much as £300,000 a day, while the cost to the airline industry as a whole is said to be more than £50 million so far.
British Airways has cancelled all flights in and out of Britain on Sunday, while Ryanair has halted all scheduled flights to and from the UK until at least 1pm on Monday.
Australian airline Qantas has also cancelled all flights to Europe.
Hopes had been raised that some flights might be available in Scotland and northern England for six hours between 4am and 10am today.
But the national air traffic company Nats announced that after reviewing the "worsening" situation, restrictions had been reapplied until at least 1pm tomorrow.
Restrictions to Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Scottish airspace have been reapplied until the same time.
A Nats spokesman said: "Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday.
"We are continuing to look for windows of opportunity to handle individual flights in UK controlled airspace."
Experts say even if flights do get under way this weekend, it will be weeks before major airports are functioning properly as crews and planes are stranded in the wrong places because they have not been able to get where they need to be.
The crisis has given a boost to ferry and rail companies by travellers, unable to fly, looking for alternative modes of transport.
Channel Tunnel high-speed train company Eurostar today reported that its 58 services were full yesterday.
By Stella Stokes