• 18 May, 2010
• Business, Nature

Updated 17:00pm, Wednesday 19th May 2010

Ireland West Airport Knock is open and operating as normal.  All flights are operating as per the published schedule

Revised safety zones in  Volcanic ash cloud agreed by aviation authorities, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are to be introduced at midday today (Tuesday 18th May) which will reduce flight restrictions, while maintaining safety as the main priority.

Since the beginning of the crisis, extensive discussions with airline and engine manufacturers, international regulatory authorities have been ongoing, and in joint agreement with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is satisfied that the revised zones will reduce the restrictions on airports and Irish airspace that have been recently imposed due to the Volcanic Ash.

This has been agreed jointly by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Irish Aviation Authority and will be applied in Ireland and the United Kingdom initially and soon throughout Europe after agreement of the European Authorities.

Following  a month of  restrictions in Air Travel in Europe this update introduces a new three zone safety area that comprises an inner no fly zone, a time limited zone and an enhanced procedures zone. Aircraft with approved certification can now operate in the time limited zone with the approval of their regulatory authorities and engine and airframe manufacturers. This allows aircraft to safely operate and should reduce airspace / airport restrictions in the coming months.

Passengers who have queries relating to flights should contact their airline using the below numbers

Airline contact details are as follows:

Aer Arann:     0818 210 210    /     www.aerarann.com
Aer Lingus:   0818 365 000    /     www.aerlingus.com
bmibaby:       1890 340 122    /     www.bmibaby.com
Ryanair:         01 248 0856     /     www.ryanair.com