London City Airport: Flights To Scotland Cancelled

By Cat Wiener Last edited 154 months ago
London City Airport: Flights To Scotland Cancelled


London City Airport has warned that flights to Scotland may be cancelled this morning due to volcanic ash. Passengers are advised to check the flight schedule before setting out.

Currently, all flights in and out of Scottish airports have been cancelled as a volcanic ash cloud from the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland heads towards the UK.

The threat of flight disruption led US President Barack Obama to fly out of the Republic of Ireland a day early to get to London for a state visit.

Grimsvotn, Iceland's most active volcano, began erupting last week. Officials say it is unlikely to cause the same level of disruption as last year, when plumes of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.

"We do not expect the Grimsvotn eruption to affect air traffic to and from the country in any way," said IcelandAir communications director Gudjon Arngrimsson.

About 10 million travellers were affected in 2010; some questioned whether the shutdown was an over-reaction.

But those of us who didn't need to get anywhere in a hurry will mainly remember the peace and calm of empty, silent blue skies over London as thousands of aircraft were grounded.

Last Updated 24 May 2011