London airports again closed by ash :: 17/05/2010 :: Airport Parking News
Yet more volcanic ash from Iceland has forced the closure of London's airports.
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London airports again closed by ash
Monday, 17th May 2010
Airlines and travelers alike face yet more travel misery as another dense cloud of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano drifts across airspace above Ireland and the UK. Airspace over London's Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Stansted airports was closed at 1am on Monday. Authorities said it would remain closed for at least six hours.
Other airports in the region also suffered closures earlier, as the ash drifted across from the Atlantic Ocean. Airports in Ireland and the UK were closed on Sunday but some airports in the north of England will be allowed to re-open after 1am, as the ash drifts further southward.
Airports in Manchester and Liverpool will re-open. Some airports in Scotland will also open but all airports in Northern Ireland will remain closed. Meteorologists say shifting winds could move the ash away from Britain by the middle of the week.
In Germany, two aircraft took off to test air over different parts of Europe. The planes are specially-equipped to take air samples that can be used to analyse the effects and risks of the ash cloud. Volcanic ash can cause problems for many different aircraft systems. Not only can it create a glassy coating on jet engine parts, leading to a loss of power, but the fine particles can damage onboard systems and pollute the cabin atmosphere, causing problems for crew and passengers.
← Data recorders retrieved from site of Tripoli air crash
→ Renewed violence brings new warning not to travel to Bangkok
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