Ferry crossings still operating despite ash cloud

Ferry crossings could provide a useful alternative to travellers today (April 15th) following the suspension of all flights in and out of the UK as a result of a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The event created a cloud of ash that has drifted south, making it unsafe for planes to fly to and from all British airports, including those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

People planning to travel across the Irish Sea have the alternative of taking ferries from Stranraer to Belfast with Stena Line or using the company's Fleetwood to Larne ferry service.

P&O Ferries provides a Cairnryan to Larne ferry link, while Norfolkline operates ferries from Liverpool to Belfast.

No flights will be allowed in and out of UK airspace until 18:00 at the earliest, although the national air traffic control service told BBC News that the restrictions are likely to remain in place after this time.

Several airlines released statements confirming that flights had been cancelled, including Flybe, bmibaby and Ryanair, while ferry operators such as Irish Ferries have reassured passengers that their services are still running.

Travel websites including aferry.co.uk have also seen higher visitor numbers in the wake of the flight cancellations.

People who had planned to fly to Europe have alternative options including the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry route, which is served by LD Lines, and Stena Line's ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland.

Posted by Mark Robinson