Flights to Lanzarote from the UK face disruption today as the latest Icelandic ash cloud has forced the closure of air space in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. With further airport closures in the North of England also possible over the coming days.

The eruption of the Grimsvoetn volcano in Iceland comes almost exactly one year after the Eyjafjallajokull volcano disgorged a huge ash cloud which caused travel chaos across Europe. The latest eruption is said to be even bigger in scale and it is expected to drift southwards across the UK over the coming days. Threatening delays and cancellations to Lanzarote flight services from UK airports.

According to the CAA the cloud has the potential to cause serious disruption as its particle density exceeds 4000 mg per cubic metre. The danger level at which it becomes classified as high density ash and at which airspace is closed as a precaution.

So far Aberdeen airport has been closed whilst flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled until at least 1pm today. Whilst the Met Office has stated that changeable wind directions make it impossible to predict the ash clouds movements accurately. However it is predicted to spread to Northern Ireland later today which may impact on specific departures to Lanzarote such as the Aer Lingus flight from Belfast.

According to the latest reports EasyJet, BA, KLM and Aer Lingus have all suspended flights in and out of Scotland until at least 1pm.

The ash cloud has also reached parts of Scandinavia, creating potential disruption to flights to Lanzarote from Norway and Denmark. With Eurocontrol, the European air traffic agency predicting up to 500 cancellations today out of a total continent wide traffic of 30,000 flights. However authorities are also suggesting that disruption from this ash cloud will be on a much smaller scale than last year thanks to the fact that systems and procedures are now in place to deal with the situation.

The Association of British Insurers has advised travellers to contact their airline or travel agent in the event of any problems. Stating those consumers are entitled to a full refund or replacement flight in the event of any cancellation. Travellers can also view live flight arrivals and departures information to keep abreast of the situation as it happens at Arrecife airport.