Some UK flights resume after volcanic ash disruption

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Some domestic UK flights have taken off after five days of disruption but a second volcanic ash cloud from Iceland has hit plans to reopen airspace.

Opportunities to run flights at many UK airports have been short-lived, and only a few flights have taken place.

Airlines said the restrictions were an overreaction, but the government said safety was its absolute priority.

Air traffic control body Nats said airspace in the north of the UK would remain open until 0100 on Wednesday.

Nats has also allowed for "overflights" - flights that pass over UK airspace at an altitude above 20,000 feet - allowing for many flights between Europe and the Middle East and North America.

It will also allow flights between open airports in Scotland and northern England, and those open in mainland Europe.

But that is little consolation for many of the estimated 150,000 Britons who have been stranded overseas as a result of the flight restrictions.

FLIGHT DISRUPTION See how flights have been disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud

Airlines have begun to question the level of restrictions to UK flights.

David Henderson, of the Association of European Airlines, told the BBC the lockdown on flights was an overreaction.

He said: "We believe that flying should be taking place."

Across Europe some 14,000 flights are expected to take off on Tuesday - about half the normal number - and planes are being permitted to fly over the UK at altitudes above 20,000 ft.

But Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the safety of air passengers remained the "paramount concern".

The minister, who said he had maintained a constant dialogue with European and UK regulators regarding flights, added: "All decisions being taken by the aviation regulators are intended solely to protect the travelling public, and I will not compromise passenger safety."

Meanwhile, British Airways has said 12 long-haul flights were currently en route to Heathrow, from Beijing, Singapore and the US west coast.

USEFUL LINKS Latest health advice Air passenger rights Travel news Foreign Office advice (external link) Live: Volcano updates

A spokeswoman said the airline had contingency plans for each flight if Heathrow was still closed but would not say which airports it would use instead.

It had been hoped that the intensity of volcanic eruptions was reducing, but the emergence of a new ash cloud has meant plans to reopen British airspace have been revised.

Jonathan Astill of Nats said the new ash cloud was a "significant change" to the situation on Monday.

He told BBC News: "The Met Office is reporting a further ash cloud that is coming down from Iceland and then covering the UK progressively during the day."

In a statement, Nats said: "The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation will continue to be variable."

Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not to travel to airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.

The first international flight from Glasgow was due to head for Reykjavik in Iceland at midday.

TUESDAY'S AIRLINE DISRUPTION BA - no short-haul services on Tuesday, but 12 long-haul flights EasyJet - flights to/from northern Europe, including UK, cancelled until 0100 BST on Wednesday. Ryanair - flights cancelled to/from the UK, Ireland, and much of northern Europe until 1300 BST on Wed 21 Flybe - flights scheduled between Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Newcastle from 1005 BST bmi - plans to resume UK domestic flights from Heathrow at 1900BST and from regional UK airports from 1300 BST bmibaby - Certain internal and European flights operating, some cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday *All passengers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport

Nats said the latest Met Office information meant the part of Scottish airspace that had been open for much of Tuesday, including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports, would continue to be available to 0100 BST on Wednesday, and also south to Newcastle Airport.

Teesside airport will also be available between 1900 and 0100. Glasgow airport, which had been open on Tuesday morning but ran no flights after 1300 BST, will re-open for the same period.

No airports south of Newcastle, however, will be allowed to run flights before 0100.

The spread of volcanic ash has affected large swathes of Europe for the past five days.

There has been huge disruption for air travellers, many of whom have embarked on long and costly journeys over land and sea to get home.

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A small number of flights have taken off in northern Europe with planes departing from Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt - although many flights have been cancelled.

He said the government is maintaining increased capacity for passengers to cross the channel.

There are an extra 20,000 passenger places a day across Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the ferries, according to the minister.

In other developments:

• Some UK banks are waiving fees for money withdrawn by passengers stranded overseas by the ash cloud
• UK airports operator BAA says the flight restrictions are costing it between £5m and £6m a day
• Service personnel and civilians boarded HMS Albion in the Spanish port of Santander and left for the UK at lunch time.
• A change in wind direction by the weekend could help blow the volcanic ash cloud away from Europe, according to a BBC meteorologist
• The Joint Council for Qualifications says exams may be rescheduled for students caught up in the travel chaos, while the pay of Devon teachers stranded for the same reasons may be docked
• Sporting fixtures around Europe continue to be disrupted
• Nissan says it is suspending the manufacturing of three of its models because of supply chain problems

Anyone concerned about the safety of a British national stranded abroad can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000, or visit its website.

Stranded Britons should contact their local embassy, high commission or consulate.