Archive for the ‘Humberside airport’ CategoryThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the introduction of a new Time Limited Zone (TLZ) which will allow flights to take place though denser ash cloud than previously permitted. Following discussions with airlines, regulators, and aircraft and engine manufacturers the new Time Limited Zone, which effectively doubles the amount of permissible ash grammes per cubic metre of air, will reduce the need for airspace closures caused by volcanic ash. New procedures and the introduction of the zone will take place from midday today, 18 May 2010. To operate in the new zone airlines need to present the CAA with a safety case that includes the agreement of their aircraft and engine manufacturers. UK airline Flybe is the first to achieve this and will therefore be able to use the new zone from midday. Announcing the change Andrew Haines, Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive, said: “I’m pleased that the huge efforts we’re all making across aviation to keep flying safe whilst minimising the disruption from the volcano have resulted in further progress. Unprecedented situations require new measures and the challenge faced should not be underestimated. Firstly because the standard default procedure for aircraft that encounter ash, to avoid it completely, doesn’t work in our congested airspace. Secondly, the world’s top scientists tell us that we must not simply assume the effects of this volcano will be the same as others elsewhere. Its proximity to the UK, the length of time it is continuously erupting and the weather patterns are all exceptional features. “The answer can only come, therefore, from aircraft and engine manufacturers establishing what level of ash their products can safely tolerate. At an international aviation conference we held last Thursday, attended by all the leading airline operators this approach was welcomed and supported. The manufacturers are co-operating fully and urgently in this task and the new zone is an excellent example of how the industry should be working to move the issue forward and I commend Flybe for its work.” The introduction of the Time Limited Zone is based on measurements collected from test flights through the current ash cloud over the past month, as well as on data and evidence compiled and analysed from previous volcanic ash incidents combined with additional analysis from manufacturers. Due to the volcanic ash cloud UK controlled airspace is to remain closed until at least 01:00 hours on Tuesday 20 April (local time). The next update on restrictions is expected around 15:00 hours today.
The UK Border Agency is warning that travellers passing through UK ports could face possible delays and disruption due to strike action by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). The strike action is taking place on Monday 8 March and Tuesday 9 March. Lin Homer, the Border Agency’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are disappointed that PCS members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border control as a result of this two-day action. ‘We have robust plans in place to ensure that the essential work of the UK Border Agency is maintained and the border remains secure. UK border security will not be compromised by this industrial action. ‘We expect that people travelling into the country may experience some delays at border control, but we will work hard to keep these to a minimum and hope that passengers will welcome the commitment of those staff who will be working despite the strike action to ensure they are seen as quickly as possible. BAA is advising passengers to have their travel documents, including passports, ready and to use automatic e-passport gates where available. Flybe has announced it is to launch flights between Belfast City and Humberside airport – the first ever scheduled service. Flights will operate four times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 27 May 2010. To book Humberside airport parking or Humberside airport hotels click on the links.
Disruption is expected to flights to and from Ireland today due to industrial action by air traffic controllers in Ireland. Affected airports are Dublin and Shannon, which will see industrial action between the hours of 14:00 and 18:00, and Cork Airport where industrial action is expected to take place between the hours of 16:00 and 18:00. Ryanair has cancelled 52 flights due to the industrial action – check here for details of cancellations To check the status of your Aer Lingus flight click here For Aer Arann disruptions click here
Snow is causing disruption to flights and there are several cancellations today. The below list is not comprehensive list but does offer information on some cancelled flights.
 Gatwick bound BA flight de-iced at Stansted What a nightmare for air travellers it has been recently. The snow has caused total chaos and the uncertainty of not knowing whether you could get to the airport, and once there, would you plane be able to take off, has been really stressful. I know from the emails I have received, and the comments made on this blog, that passengers have also been hampered by the lack of information coming from some airports and some airlines. Passengers making their way home to Britain also faced problems not knowing if their flights would land at their intended destination. There were quite a few diversions last week, even Glasgow Prestwick Airport took in 24 diversions from flights destined for Heathrow, Gatwick, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The photo above shows a British Airways 747 being de-iced at Stansted on Friday. Bad weather forced the Gatwick bound jet to divert into Stansted after its long haul flight from Lagos, Nigeria. Flight update Although flights do appear to be getting back to normal, with the threat of more snow looming, we could still see more problems ahead. Anyone concerned about the status of their flight is advised to contact their airline and to monitor the flight departures boards on their airport website. Stories and suggestions If you have any stories about your travel experiences in the recent bad weather, or have any suggestions (polite ones!) that could help improve communications from the airports and airlines I love to hear them. Feel free to add them in the comments below or email me, thanks, Paula.
Due to the snow there have been several flight cancellations today. The following airlines have published details of their cancelled flights: Eastern Airways check here for details http://www.easternairways.com/latest-news/weather-disruption-6-january-2010.html easyJet flight cancellations can been seen here http://easyjet.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easyjet.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3708 Ryanair flight cancellations are available here http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100105-SNOW_UK_05JAN10-GB British Airways – to check the status of your flight click here http://www.britishairways.com/travel/globalgateway.jsp/global/public/en_
For more information on flight status and lists of cancelled flights check the following links: British Airways – check flight status here Flybe cancellations listed here: Eastern Airways cancellations check here Virgin Atlantic check flight status here easyJet cancellations check here Ryanair – a list of cancelled flights can be found here
It looks like today could be a better day for air travellers as it seems that currently all the major UK airports are open, however, it would appear that Guernsey airport is closed. Heathrow Airport is operational although it is advising passengers that there could be some knock-on effects of the bad weather which could result is some delays or cancellations today and passengers should check the status of their flight before setting out. For Heathrow airline contact details check here. There are some flight cancellations already reported today. For further details check the following sites: Guernsey Airport flight departures click here Eastern Airways cancellation details click here easyJet cancellations click here To book Heathrow meet and greet parking and a Heathrow airport hotels click on the links. |
