Heathrow, Gatwick Partially Re-open, Disruptions Still Continue

After a new volcanic ash cloud halted flights last night, Heathrow and Gatwick airports have partially reopened but passengers are still facing problems due to extended delays and cancellations, said media reports.

To make matter worse, British Airways cabin crew is going to start a series of strikes tomorrow.

Nats, the air traffic authority, said that Heathrow and Gatwick, closed till 7 am by the Civil Aviation Authority, would only partially reopen over the next six hours, reports said.

Besides, flights remained grounded across Northern Ireland and much of Scotland and Wales until lunch time, with warnings of widespread knock-on disruption later in the day, said reports.

There would be no arrivals at Gatwick until 1pm at the earliest, while Heathrow would see reduced take-offs and departures as well as extended delays and cancellations, reports said.

Large regional airports, such as Manchester, Glasgow and Stansted, were open, but passengers were being urged to check with their airlines before leaving for the airport, said reports.

(Based on media reports)