Air disruption continues, but Heathrow clear - for now

(AFP PHOTO/Derek Blair)

Airspace above Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland remains partially closed Wednesday afternoon, aviation authorities have said.

The no-fly zone imposed by British authorities will extend from 13:00 (local) Wednesday to include Belfast City, Belfast International, Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man and Edinburgh Airports.

Glasgow, Prestwick, Stornoway, Benbecula,Tiree, Islay, Barra, Campbeltown and Derry remain closed.

Latest information from the Met Office suggests that the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continues to move and take shape, although authorities say that based on current forecasts, airports in the southeast of England such as London hub Heathrow are not expected to be affected.

Current forecasts show that the ash is expected to expand across Ireland Thursday. Aircraft operations in Galway, Ireland West (Knock), Donegal and Sligo airports are all currently restricted, according to the Irish Aviation Authority.

Passengers expecting to trave lWednesday and Thursday from airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the northwest of England, Wales and the West Country have been advised to contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.

More information:

Irish Aviation Authority http://www.iaa.ie

National Air Traffic Services http://www.nats.co.uk/

Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/

Met Office Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/