Return of the ash cloud – flights cancelled

New volcanic eruption causes chaos for UK flights
A new ash cloud caused by an eruption from an Icelandic volcano is expected to ground thousands of flights from the UK today. Over recent days, ash has begun drifting into Scottish airspace, causing all major flights operating to and from Scotland to be abandoned on Tuesday.

Flights due to leave from the north of England have also been cancelled, with Eastern Airways and KLM stating that flights from Durham Tees airport and Newcastle airport will remain grounded this morning. Also likely to be affected between 1300 and 1900 BST are flights from Londonderry, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick and Carlisle airports.

Delays not expected to last too long
The UK transport secretary, Philip Hammond, said the airlines themselves had taken the decision not to fly. Mr Hammond did state that he did not expect the delays to last long, however:

"At the moment the model suggests that disruption later in the week is likely to be limited, but of course the weather patterns are changing all the time," he said.

Cloud due over Heathrow at around 1pm today
Passengers due to fly from the UK today are being advised to check with their airline before going to the airport.

The European air safety organisation, Eurocontrol, announced that a low-density ash cloud is expected to be above Heathrow at around 1pm today. As yet, it is unknown if this will be significant enough to ground flights from the airport.

Advice for directline-holidays customers
Customers of directline-holidays whose package holiday and/or flight has been cancelled due to the volcanic ash, and who are not satisfied with the alternate dates suggested, can e-mail us on cancel@directline-holidays.co.uk. We will then respond when we have looked at your request and the flight has been confirmed as cancelled by your airline. Requests will be responded to in strict date order, and refunds will be arranged once we have had the money sent to us from the supplier.

If you are a directline-holidays customer who has booked a flight through us only, and this has been cancelled due to the volcanic ash, you claim a refund by e-mailing us at the address above. If you were able to travel out but your inbound flight was cancelled, only that portion of the flight will be refunded.

For directline-holidays customers who need more advice on travelling today, who are travelling within the next few days, or who are thinking of booking with us within the next week, please see directline-holidays Volcanic Ash Advice FAQ’s. There is information here for directline-holidays customers travelling with a budget airline, on a package holiday, about insurance claims and more.