DOZENS of flights have been cancelled at Dublin airport and more are expected to be abandoned at other Irish airports as Storm Ali arrives.
Weather warnings have been issued in 17 counties across the country as winds with gusts of between 110 and 120km/h batter parts of the land.
A Status Orange Wind warning is in place with conditions impacting airport schedules already this morning.
Dublin Airport has announced that a number of flights have been either significantly delayed or cancelled both coming into and leaving the runway.
High winds due to #StormAli will have an impact on the flight schedule today. Some flights already cancelled. Please check with your airline before coming to the airport. Departures info here https://t.co/2bD7lEWGaJ. Arrivals info here https://t.co/ckiUMjBwFf. pic.twitter.com/bPgNBTFqAv
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) September 19, 2018
Delays and cancellations are also expected at Cork and Shannon airports as conditions worsen.
Passengers are advised to check their flight information before travelling and motorists have been warned to be alert to debris on the roads.
The majority of the cancelled flights appear to be between Ireland and the UK.
Atlantic coastal counties from Kerry to Donegal, as well as counties in the north midlands, border and east are expected to be most affected by the extreme weather.
Cork and Shannon airports have released statements relating to the storm on social media while Kerry Airport has so far confirmed one cancelled flight.
⚠️Attention Passengers⚠️
If you’re planning on travelling from Shannon Airport early tomorrow morning, please check your flight status with your airline before making your way to the airport.#StormAli #safetravels pic.twitter.com/PIFqEZy4n6— Shannon Airport (@ShannonAirport) September 18, 2018
.@MetEireann is forecasting gale force winds off the Atlantic coast overnight due to #StormAli which may impact on flight schedules tomorrow @CorkAirport Please check your flight status with your airline before coming to the airport in the morning. pic.twitter.com/jmB3yy7l0T
— Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) September 18, 2018
Belfast Airport has issued no statement.
Met Éireann issued a fresh warning at 5am this morning:
"Gales or strong gales extending to all sea areas this morning, reaching storm force at times on Irish coastal waters from Valentia to Rossan Point to Belfast Lough and in the north Irish Sea, and up to violent storm force between Loop Head and Erris Head this morning, before and as winds veer westerly."
