FLIGHT BAN LIFTED ON BALLYBRIT BOUND HELICOPTERS

Date Published: 01-Aug-2007

Racegoers relying on helicopter transport received a setback today as the cloudy weather grounded helicopter travel this morning.Tony Gibson, air traffic controller at Galway Airport in Carnmore, says that over 100 helicopters had their flight plans postponed this morning due to heavy mist and poor visibility.Mr.Gibson says the flight-ban was lifted at 12.45 when Met Eireann reports indicated that the weather was breaking.The ban caused a severe backlog for racegoers relying on helicopters ferrying them to Ballybrit, many of them staying in the bigger hotels which included helicopter transport in the accommodation package.However its thought most of the affected race-goers will make it in time for the second race at least.