Airport slowly returns to normal although flights still disrupted

FLIGHTS to and from Birmingham International Airport were slowly returning to normal today although a number of services continued to be disrupted due to the lingering effects of the volcanic ash crisis.

Several airlines either pushed back or cancelled services altogether in an effort to deal with the passenger backlog more efficiently.

A statement on the airport’s website said: “Flight schedules are now recovering; however, there is still a small number of delays and cancellations so we encourage people that are due to travel over the next few days to check with their airline or tour operator.”

Ryanair said all its flights in Northern Europe had resumed this morning, with the exception of flights between Ireland and the UK, which will resume tomorrow.

In anticipation of demand, the airline is releasing extra routes for tomorrow from Spain to Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Stansted and Liverpool. Passengers disrupted due the airspace closures have been told they can transfer to these extra flights although they should consult the airline.

Elsewhere, Thomson pushed back a flight to Lanzarote, while a service to Jamaica was rescheduled to tomorrow.

Flybe cancelled several services due to “logistical challenges” with flights to and from Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Frankfurt all effected.

Passengers booked on the flights have been told they are entitled to re-book or get a refund.

Further information is available on the airport’s website – www.birminghamairport.co.uk – or the various ones for the airlines.

Passengers have been advised to consult these before travelling.