UPDATE: Ryanair cancels flights until 1pm on Wednesday (April 21) due to volcanic ash

LOW cost airline Ryanair has confirmed that it has decided to cancel all scheduled flights to and from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic States until 1pm on Wednesday April 21.

LOW cost airline Ryanair has confirmed that - based on current meteorological forecasts, and the continuing emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere over Iceland - it has decided to cancel all scheduled flights to and from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic States until 1pm on Wednesday April 21.

Ryanair flights from Spain, the Canary and Balearic islands, the south of Italy (including Pisa, Rome, Sardinia and Sicily), Malta and North Africa will continue to operate just domestic and southbound routes.

A spokesman said: "This advice is based on the current stable weather trends which continue to blow potentially dangerous volcanic ash across the British Isles, Scandinavia and Europe.

"This decision has been taken by Ryanair in order to allow passengers to apply for a full refund or rebook onto flights later this week, when Ryanair hopes that improved/changed weather conditions may allow normal flight schedules to resume. Ryanair is anxious to give intending passengers as much information as possible, as far in advance as possible, to allow them to make alternative arrangements.

"Ryanair continues to post regular flight information updates on the flight information page on ryanair.com"

Announcing these further cancellations, Ryanair's Michael O'Leary said: "This spreading cloud of volcanic ash is unprecedented in Ryanair's experience, and we are continuing to work around the clock to minimise its effects on our schedules and passengers.

"Ryanair's flights in Spain, Southern Italy and Northern Africa will continue to operate Southbound and domestic routes.

"We hope that by cancelling all Ryanair flights over the above affected countries until at least 1pm on Wednesday April 21, we can give passengers as much notice as possible to allow them plenty of time to apply for refunds or rebook alternative Ryanair flights.

"We apologise sincerely to all Ryanair customers whose travel plans have been disrupted by these cancellations. We have teams of people sending email advisories to all passengers affected by these cancelled flights to give them as much notice as possible to allow them to change their travel plans.

"We hope that either the prevailing winds will have changed direction or the ash cloud will have dispersed sufficiently to allow flights to operate safely across the British Isles and Northern Europe by Wednesday afternoon.