UK flight ban continues

Restrictions on flights in and out of the UK have been extended to 7pm on Sunday amid fears that the travel crisis could drag on indefinitely.

Air traffic control company Nats announced that the ash cloud caused by an erupting Icelandic volcano was still covering the UK and the flight ban would continue as a result.

There is currently no end to the disruption in sight with volcanologists warning that the eruptions from Mount Eyjafjallajokull could continue for months.

Officials said airlines would continue to be subject to restrictions for as long as ash billowed into British airspace.

A spokesman for airport operator BAA advised passengers not to travel to airports and to keep in touch with their airlines.

Graeme Leitch of the Met Office said a change in the wind direction might mean flight restrictions could be lifted but there was no indication that any such change was imminent.