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No let up in ash cloud flight ban No let up in ash cloud flight ban
(about 3 hours later)
The ban on flights in English airspace has been extended until at least 1900 BST because of the threat posed by a cloud of volcanic ash. The ban on flights in English airspace has been extended until at least 0100 BST on Sunday because of the threat posed by a cloud of volcanic ash.
Restrictions have also been reapplied to Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool airports, having briefly been lifted.Restrictions have also been reapplied to Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool airports, having briefly been lifted.
Hopes that airports in the North East of England may reopen on Saturday have also been dashed.Hopes that airports in the North East of England may reopen on Saturday have also been dashed.
All non-emergency flights were grounded on Thursday as the cloud from an eruption in Iceland spread over the UK.All non-emergency flights were grounded on Thursday as the cloud from an eruption in Iceland spread over the UK.
In a statement, Nats said: "Following the latest information from the Met Office, Nats advises that restrictions across UK controlled airspace have been extended until at least 1900 BST and that restrictions to Scottish and Manchester airspace have been reapplied until the same time. In a statement, Nats said: "The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. Based on the latest information from the Met Office, Nats advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 0100 BST on Sunday.
"It is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
"We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 1500 BST."
The ash cloud drifted across the UK after an eruption under a glacierThe ash cloud drifted across the UK after an eruption under a glacier
"Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday.
"We are continuing to look for windows of opportunity to handle individual flights in UK controlled airspace."
A further update is due from Nats at 0900 BST and it warned that the situation was changing constantly.
The grounding of aircraft began on Thursday morning after a volcanic eruption in Iceland.The grounding of aircraft began on Thursday morning after a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
The restrictions were imposed because of the danger the ash poses to aircraft.The restrictions were imposed because of the danger the ash poses to aircraft.
Tiny particles of rock, glass and sand in the cloud could damage engines.Tiny particles of rock, glass and sand in the cloud could damage engines.
Transatlantic flights
In Manchester, Nats lifted its restriction on flights for an hour to allow a plane to take off before 1300 BST on Friday.In Manchester, Nats lifted its restriction on flights for an hour to allow a plane to take off before 1300 BST on Friday.
It travelled to Florida in the US to pick up stranded holidaymakers.It travelled to Florida in the US to pick up stranded holidaymakers.
The restriction was lifted due to the positioning of the ash cloud.The restriction was lifted due to the positioning of the ash cloud.
Two flights from Barbados and Vancouver were also able to land at the airport.Two flights from Barbados and Vancouver were also able to land at the airport.
Isle of Man airline Manx2 had a few services between the island and Blackpool and Belfast, and there were flights between Newquay in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.Isle of Man airline Manx2 had a few services between the island and Blackpool and Belfast, and there were flights between Newquay in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The ash cloud was created by an eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland, which began on Wednesday and is continuing.The ash cloud was created by an eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland, which began on Wednesday and is continuing.
It is the second in Iceland in less than a month.It is the second in Iceland in less than a month.
An atmospheric research team from Gloucestershire has been monitoring the volcanic ash cloud, having flown to the edge of the plume in a specially-adapted plane.An atmospheric research team from Gloucestershire has been monitoring the volcanic ash cloud, having flown to the edge of the plume in a specially-adapted plane.