NATS update: All airports in England and Wales will remain closed until 7am on Saturday due to volca

Restrictions preventing flights in controlled airspace over England and Wales will remain in place until 7am tomorrow (Friday April 17), NATS has said.

THE cloud of volcanic ash continues to move south through the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues.

Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in controlled airspace over England and Wales will remain in place until 7am (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday April 17, at the earliest.

From 7pm (UK time) today ATC restrictions will be lifted in a large part of Scottish airspace including Scottish airports, Shetland, Orkneys and also Northern Ireland.

On this basis, North Atlantic traffic can also operate to/from points in this airspace. Please note these arrangements do not mean that all flights will operate. Anyone hoping to travel today or tomorrow should contact their airline before going to the airport.

A Nats spokesman said: "We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficient for us to enable some flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC. Some aircraft were able to operate at Manchester this morning, although restrictions are now reapplied to Manchester.

"We hope there may be some opportunity from the north into Newcastle after 1am (UK time) tomorrow - Saturday. We will review further Met Office information and at 8.30pm (UK time) we will advise further arrangements. In general, the situation is dynamic and subject to change.

"We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.