Robinson and McGuinness press for action to ease travel chaos

The First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have expressed their concern at the difficulties being experienced by travellers and businesses as a result of flight restrictions.

Mr Robinson said: "The disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland is having a severe and acute impact on both local travellers and local businesses. The latest estimates we have available would indicate that somewhere in the region of 120,000 airline passengers have been affected by the closure of our airspace. Many of our local businesses are having to make the expensive and unsustainable decision to import and export goods by sea. Our own local tourism industry is beginning to suffer potentially losing almost £1million per day. Most of our hotels are reporting a number of cancellations due to flights restrictions.

"We have therefore been liaising closely with the Cabinet Office in London and with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to ensure that citizens of Northern Ireland receive the assistance they need. I was briefed by the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward immediately after this morning’s Cobra meeting and we will be holding further discussions with him this afternoon.”

Mr McGuinness said: “We have heard heart rending stories of people missing special family occasions, but also stories of organ and bone marrow transplants being cancelled. We have also heard stories of people stranded abroad who are running out of medication or are due to have operations in coming days.

"We remain in contact with both London and Dublin and Transport Minister Conor Murphy, is working closely with his relevant counterparts. The Executive is already taking all the steps necessary to ensure travellers can access the country by ferry and that bus and train links have been stepped up at all our ports. In the meantime, we would call on the airline industry and the travel insurance industry to do all in their powers to alleviate the hardship being faced by stranded travellers. I will also be making a statement to the Assembly later today."

People affected by the disruption can access a range of information on travel updates and passenger rights at the nidirect website.

Notes to editiors:

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