Nimrod aircraft in final flight

28 June 2011 Last updated at 15:42 GMT The RAF's two Nimrod R1 were used for gathering electronic intelligence The Nimrod aircraft has made its final flight for the RAF during a ceremony at a Lincolnshire air base.

The R1 model, used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence, made a flypast at RAF Waddington.

Chief of the Air Staff Sir Stephen Dalton attended the retirement ceremony and there was also a parade.

Three new Rivet-Joint aircraft will replace the R1 in 2014. Until then, the RAF is sharing - or "co-manning" - planes owned by the US Air Force.

51 Squadron operated the RAF's two Nimrod R1s, with the aircraft using a team of 24 reconnaissance equipment operators, four flight crew and a mission supervisor.

It was typically used to try to intercept communications, such as mobile phone conversations, while flying over enemy territory.

'Lifesaver'

The R1 operated for 37 years and served throughout the Cold War, as well as in the Balkans, Afghanistan and in the current conflict in Libya.

Speaking at the event, Air Chief Marshal Dalton said that it was a "day of celebration" for all that the Nimrod had achieved.

"There is no question this aircraft has given us the ability to do things that would be very much more difficult - and could have cost us more lives if we hadn't had it," he said.

The RAF's top officer also alluded to concerns about relying, temporarily, on the use of American planes for UK airborne intelligence.

He admitted it was a blow, but said the air force could still manage: "It doesn't leave a hole - it dents the depth of our capabilities.

"We can still do the missions we need to do, but this was a more efficient way of doing things. We'll have to use other methods now."

Flight Lieutenant Dave McRitchie, an R1 mission commander, also paid tribute to the aircraft's vital role during its years of service.

"It's something that's played a major part in every operation that UK armed forces have been involved in - now it won't be there."

The MR2 version of the Nimrod finished service in 2010, while its replacement the MRA4 was scrapped in the defence review.

It was decided that ?2bn could be saved over 10 years by not operating the nine MRA4 planes, despite the programme already costing taxpayers ?4bn.

Four Rolls-Royce Spey 251 turbofans

Four CFM International F108-CF-201 turbofans

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List of grounded aircraft grows

24 May 2011 Last updated at 10:29 GMT Grimsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday

Some NI air passengers are facing disruption as a cloud of volcanic ash has halted flights into and out of Scotland and the north-east of England.

Easyjet flights from Belfast International Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled.

Two flights between Belfast and Newcastle and Newcastle and Belfast have also been hit.

Two Loganair flights between George Best Belfast City Airport and Dundee will also remain grounded.

All three NI airports are advising anyone intending to travel to contact their airline before leaving home.

Aer Lingus flights between Shannon, Dublin and Cork and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen have also been cancelled.

Ryanair has objected to an order from Irish officials to ground its morning flights to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen on safety grounds.

Last year, thousands of flights were cancelled across Northern Europe because of ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

'Very modest'

However Mark Beattie, from Belfast City Airport, said that so far the disruption has been "very modest".

"We've had one cancellation so far to Dundee and a few delays, but we're hoping that business can continue as normally as possible," he said.

Mr Beattie urged passengers to find out the latest information by visiting the airport's website or using Twitter or Ffacebook.

Debra Harris from Belfast International Airport said that disruption was concentrated on flights into and out of Scotland but all passengers should keep in touch with their airlines.

"We've had cancellations on flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh," she said. "It's really unfortunate because it's such a very busy time of year."

Flights from City of Derry Airport to Dublin have been cancelled according to the airport's website.

The Civil Aviation Authority has said ash levels would be graded as low, medium or high, and airlines would be notified if levels reached medium or high.

Airlines would then consider whether to fly, according to risk assessments already carried out, the CAA added.

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