Breaking news: Ireland airports to reopen at 13h00

IRELAND Airports are set to reopen at 13h00 (local time) today (May 4). This follows after a renewed risk of volcanic ash drifting south from Iceland saw Ireland airports cancel morning operations. All flights in and out of Ireland were cancelled from 06h00 to 12h00 GMT. However, the Ireland Aviation Authority has since said that operations are expected to be normal at all Irish Airports for the remainder of the day. Ireland is not expected to fall within the predicted area of ash concentrations that exceed acceptable engine manufacturer tolerance levels. “Our decision to close earlier today was based solely on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north easterly winds. The situation will be reviewed as the week goes on. Winds are forecast to continue coming from a Northerly direction for the next few days and this could lead to further problems,” the IAA said in a statement.