SKIBADABOMSKI
22nd May 2011, 15:10
Iceland closed its main international airport as a volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles into the air, and other airports on the island are likely to close during the day, the civil aviation authority said on Sunday.
Airport and air traffic control operator ISAVIA said Keflavik airport was closed at 0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT), and no flights were taking off or landing.
"The ash distribution forecast over the next six hours shows that the ash from the volcano will spread over Iceland today, leading to the closure of most Icelandic airports as the day goes on," ISAVIA said in a statement.
Spokeswoman Hjordis Gudmundsdottir said the ash plume was covering Iceland, but "the good news is that it is not heading to Europe."
She said the ash was blowing west toward Greenland instead.
She said officials were investigating whether Iceland's other airports could take Keflavik-bound flights.
Trans-Atlantic flights were being diverted away from Iceland, and there was no sign yet that the eruption would cause the widespread travel disruption triggered last year by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
Yes I'm flying to Italy in the morning and I'm at Narita Airport now.
EDIT: Just realized this won't be a problem. Sorry for the thread. It came up as if it was a major event.
Thanks
Ski-
Airport and air traffic control operator ISAVIA said Keflavik airport was closed at 0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT), and no flights were taking off or landing.
"The ash distribution forecast over the next six hours shows that the ash from the volcano will spread over Iceland today, leading to the closure of most Icelandic airports as the day goes on," ISAVIA said in a statement.
Spokeswoman Hjordis Gudmundsdottir said the ash plume was covering Iceland, but "the good news is that it is not heading to Europe."
She said the ash was blowing west toward Greenland instead.
She said officials were investigating whether Iceland's other airports could take Keflavik-bound flights.
Trans-Atlantic flights were being diverted away from Iceland, and there was no sign yet that the eruption would cause the widespread travel disruption triggered last year by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
Yes I'm flying to Italy in the morning and I'm at Narita Airport now.
EDIT: Just realized this won't be a problem. Sorry for the thread. It came up as if it was a major event.
Thanks
Ski-