Ryanair cancels Dublin-Malta flight due to volcanic ash cloud

Ryanair's Malta-Dublin-Malta service was cancelled yesterday as the ash cloud that spelt air misery for millions of passengers last month reappeared, amid fears of more travel chaos.

Although the Irish airspace reopened in the afternoon, the chief executive officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, Eamonn Brennan, told The Associated Press the risk of further shutdowns remained.

"We're probably facing a summer of uncertainty because of this ash cloud," he was quoted saying.

The ash cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano grounded most planes over Europe between April 15 and 21, costing the airline industry almost €2 billion and leaving millions of passengers stranded.

Air Malta had to cancel 204 flights during last month's shutdown, which is believed to have cost the airline hundreds of thousands of euros. It was not affected yesterday because the national carrier does not fly to Ireland. However, a spokesman said it was impossible to say what would happen in the coming days, especially since the ash plume could move.

The ash cloud cost Malta €10 million and 90,000 bed nights.

Even after Ireland's airspace reopened, airports, including Heathrow, yesterday warned travellers flying to Ireland or the Scottish islands to contact their airline for advice because some of the flights could still have been cancelled. The airspace over Scotland's Outer Hebrides was closed from Monday evening.

Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate said it was closely monitoring the situation and developments. Transport Malta said airlines were still bound to provide passengers with accommodation and meals during the time they were stranded.

A spokesman for Ryanair was unable to say how many passengers were booked on yesterday's two flights to and from Ireland, only saying the airline's flights were "usually quite full". He said the airline had restarted flying at about 2 p.m. but nobody knew what would happen in the coming days.

Keith Baker was one of the last people to fly to Malta from Ireland on Monday. "I am very relieved to have made it this time around," he said.

Mr Baker, 32, had to postpone his holiday to Malta because of last month's widespread disruptions. "I had left home very early to travel to Dublin. When I got to the airport, the flight was still on," he said. In fact, Mr Baker had even managed to check in. It was not until he was at the gate waiting to board the plane that the Ryanair flight was cancelled.

"People went to collect their luggage, which they had checked in, and then the flight was reinstated, so they checked their luggage again and returned to the departure gate, only for the flight to be cancelled once more," he said, adding that news about the ash cloud had just started breaking at the time.

In the end, like millions of travellers, Mr Baker had to cancel his plans and book another flight. "Thankfully, I was booked on Monday's flight and I did not have to cancel my plans again," he said. Now he is hoping he will make it back home next week. "I have an important interview on Tuesday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the ash cloud disappears," he said.