THE cost to the travel industry of the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud crisis grew as the UK flights’ ban extended into today.

The continued restriction of flights within controlled UK airspace was announced by air traffic control company Nats.

It said: “Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic.

“We will, of course, continue to make best use of any breaks in the ash cloud to offer opportunities to airlines as they arise.

“There may be limited opportunity in Orkney and Shetland for some flights to operate under individual co-ordination with air traffic control.”

The further extension of the restrictions means the UK, with the exception of a very few services which were able to run, has been a “no-fly zone” since around mid-day last Thursday.

The two biggest operators from Liverpool John Lennon Airport – EasyJet and Ryanair – will not fly until 1am tomorrow and 1pm on Wednesday respectively.

Merchant marine crew trainer Alfie Hincks, of Fazakerley, is trapped in the south of France, waiting for a flight since Friday.