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Following the shut
down of airports and airspaces across Europe due to the prevailing
volcanic ash erupting from Iceland, the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA) on Monday, implored international travellers in the
country to be tolerant with airlines.

Advising passengers
to liaise with their respective carriers to confirm the status of their
trips, the authority disclosed that flights disruptions have started
and travellers may experience delays and even cancellations.

“Once again, the
NCAA is urging passengers intending to travel to Europe, particularly
UK, Ireland and some Scandinavian airports, to be patient with their
airlines, as volcanic ash have forced authorities to close and re-open
airspace, depending on the prevailing situation,” said Harold Demuren,
director general of the authority.

It could be
recalled that the volcanic ash eruptions of April disrupted flights
activities across Europe for about five days, which also affected
Nigerian passengers as most flights were either delayed or cancelled
outrightly for safety reasons.

“Another volcanic
eruption has occurred, and current weather patterns over parts of
Europe have resulted in an extensive ash cloud that is likely to result
in closure of some airspace zones,” Mr. Demuren added.

The authority,
however, disclosed that Virgin Atlantic and Arik Air departed the
Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Monday, at about
11am, adding that British Airways departed the airport at about 3.30am
and landed “safely” at Heathrow, England, at 3pm.

Outlining some
international airports that are currently open for flight activities,
the authority disclosed that Amsterdam airport was closed till 2pm
Monday, and would be re-opened thereafter, adding that Frankfurt,
Paris, Madrid, and Rome airports are all currently open to operations.

Admitting that
larger number of delayed flights and stranded passengers would crowd
airport departures halls and with limited rooms to accommodate the
travellers, the NCAA boss disclosed that passengers should endeavour to
contact their travel agents or international carriers.

“It is advisable for passengers to re-confirm their departure
details with their airlines and find out any special arrangements that
have been made for passengers whose journeys have been disrupted to
avoid untold hardship,” he said.