The National Air Traffic Service has advised that the present restrictions on flights in and out of the UK remain until at least 7pm today. The volcanic ash cloud which has been disrupting flights since last Thursday has still not dispersed and volcanologists are warning that the production of ash by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano could continue for weeks.

This means that many people who have booked a car hire for leisure or business travel will be unable to pick their vehicle up at the designated time or place. This disruption to customers and car rental firms is set to last at least until tonight, but could well continue, depending on the National Air Traffic Service’s assessment of the situation.

Managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, Gareth Robinson, said that the uncertainty about exactly when passengers will be able to fly again is likely to impact car hire companies who will feel the knock on effect. He said that he has already seen a number of people cancelling their car hire and advised all customers who were facing disruption because of the volcanic ash to find out what their particular rental firms policies were for delayed collections and cancellations.