ICC to airlift teams to Twenty20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was preparing to fly teams participating in the Twenty20 World Cup starting next week directly from Dubai to the West Indies.

The move followed air travel restrictions over much of Europe due to volcanic ash following last week's eruption in Iceland.

"We are doing everything possible to overcome the airline logistical challenges and we are extremely grateful to our commercial partner Emirates for putting forward a charter-flight option," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Twenty20 World Cup runs from April 30 to May 16.

"The ICC Board endorsed the contingency plans being made by the ICC executive team to ensure that all players, team management, match officials, support staff and television crews and equipment can reach the Caribbean despite the ongoing disruption to air travel in Europe," the statement said.

Ireland, Zimbabwe and hosts West Indies are in the Caribbean already.

"The Board heard that arrangements were being made so that seven of the remaining eight affected men's teams -- New Zealand are travelling via the United States -- could be airlifted direct to the West Indies from Dubai with the aid of ICC partners Emirates," the ICC said.