MORE Huddersfield people face travel nightmares as the volcanic eruption in Iceland forced more flights to be cancelled.

The airline crisis deepened when the UK flight ban was extended to at least 7am today.

It meant the cost to the travel industry of the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud crisis grew even more.

It is understood among those hit by the flight ban are a party from Salendine Nook High School, who have been in the United States.

The further extension to the restriction of flights within controlled UK airspace was announced by air traffic control company Nats.

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

“We are maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace. We are currently awaiting CAA guidance.”

And experts are predicting that it will be well into this week before flights can get back to anything like normality.

Leeds Bradford Airport's main airline has cancelled all flights until Tuesday as the volcanic ash cloud continues to spread across the UK.

Jet2 said it would put on extra flights to ensure passengers stranded abroad could get home once its fleet of aircraft was operating again.

Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis said: “Based on the latest assessment by the Met Office, flights to and from most airports in northern Europe will not resume and the forecast for today is not encouraging.

“I am in constant contact with both the Met Office and Nats. They are continuing to work with airlines to ensure they are ready to fully exploit any respite in conditions which could allow some flights to operate.”

Lord Adonis added that everything possible was being done to help passengers.

He continued: “Stranded passengers with return tickets on EU airlines have rights of assistance, including food and accommodation, and should contact their airline directly.

“British embassies and consulates around the world are providing consular assistance to those that need it, visiting airports and working with the local authorities to help stranded UK citizens.”

Among those hit by the cancellations was retired couple Rod and Sue Brook, of Huddersfield.

They were among many told by their travel company to go to Manchester Airport for their flight to Atlanta as part of a “contingency plan”.

But like all the others, they faced only weekend heartbreak as all flights were again cancelled.

The Brooks needed to be in Galveston, Texas, by last night to embark on a 14-day cruise stopping off at Barbados, the Azores and Barcelona.

Mr Brook, 65, said: “Let’s be fair it’s nobody’s fault but we’re a little ticked off.

“I retired six months ago and we’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time now.

“It doesn’t look as if we are going to get there in time but neither of us have to worry about losing work holiday time so we’ll rebook it later in the year.”

Mrs Brook, 61, said: “It’s not all bad. We can now go to our twin god-daughters’ 18th birthday party. They will be glad to see us.”

They were among several hundred passengers who had their hopes of flying from Manchester Airport dashed as the brief “window of opportunity” to depart was swiftly closed.

They gathered in the prospect of potentially defying the cloud of volcanic ash drifting from Iceland but many turned straight back home when they discovered all flights would be grounded.