Bristol Airport flights cancelled over volcanic ash

Bristol Airport estimates up to 17,000 people could be affected on Thursday

All flights to and from Bristol Airport have been stopped because of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

Ash from an eruption under a glacier in Iceland is moving south, threatening plane safety.

The air traffic control service (Nats) said that no flights would be allowed in or out of UK airspace from 1200 BST until at least 1900 BST on Friday.

A Bristol Airport spokesman believed up to 17,000 people could be affected by Thursday's cancellations.

He advised passengers not to travel to the airport and to check with their airlines or the airport for information on rebooking and refunds.

Experts have warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud could be sufficient to jam aircraft engines.

A Nats spokesman said flights will only be permitted in emergency situations until at least 1900 BST on Friday.

BBC reporter John Maguire was at Bristol Airport since 0900 BST.

He said passengers had been sent e-mails and text messages advising them to contact their airline operators.

"At this time of year Bristol Airport would expect about 25,000 passengers per day with 150 flights landing and taking off.

"The airport says about 100 flights are going to be cancelled, potentially disrupting 16,000 to 17,000 people on Thursday.

"But even when the restrictions are lifted, the airport operators will have all sorts of problems with planes and crews in the wrong place.

"Its going to take them a while to catch up - its going to be a lot of work for them and potentially disruption for 24 hours," Mr Maguire added.

An air ambulance spokesman said the service was still operational.

Avon and Somerset Police said its helicopter was also still operating because it did not fly high enough to be affected.

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