Volcanic Ash Cancels Flights All Over Europe

Flights across much of Europe are being cancelled on a second day of massive disruption caused by drifting ash ejected from a volcano in Iceland. Hundreds of thousands of passengers are affected and severe disruption could extend into the weekend, including on flights to North America and Asia. Some 5,000 flights were cancelled yesterday (15th April) as airspace from the Republic of Ireland to Finland was closed. The ash is not thought to pose a serious health risk to people however. UK flight restrictions originally in place until 1300 (1200 GMT) on Friday have been extended until at least 1900 (1800 GMT), although a few exceptions were allowed in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK, Irish Republic, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands closed their airspace on Thursday. France shut down 24 airports in the north of the country, including the main hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle, while Germany's Berlin and Hamburg airports were also closed on Thursday evening. Frankfurt closed on Friday morning. Poland closed most of its airspace on Friday but kept Krakow and Rzeszow airports in the south open. Sweden began reopening its northern airspace on Friday. Officials said restrictions further south would be lifted gradually. Qantas, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific were among airlines who have cancelled long-haul flights to Europe.