Ireland may have to restrict airspace due to ash

A no fly zone may have to be imposed over Ireland tomorrow due to volcanic ash drifting south from Iceland, the Irish Aviation Authority said today.

"The IAA has informed Irish-based airlines that it is concerned that Irish Airports may be impacted by the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north easterly winds," it said in a statement.

Over-flights of Ireland from Britain and Europe are not expected to be impacted, the IAA said, neither are airports in the south of Britain, including London's Heathrow.

Flights over Europe were hit by a six-day shutdown of airspace last month over fears of the effect on jet engines of ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.