This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8629597.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Scots stranded by ash flight ban Scottish airspace 'set to reopen'
(29 minutes later)
Thousands of passengers remain stranded as the ban on most flights to and from Scotland because of volcanic ash continues until 0100 BST on Tuesday. Scottish airspace will reopen from 0700 BST on Tuesday, air traffic control service Nats has announced.
Thousands of passengers remain stranded as a result of the ban on most flights to and from Scotland because of volcanic ash.
Hundreds of school teachers are thought to be among the Scots stranded abroad.Hundreds of school teachers are thought to be among the Scots stranded abroad.
There have been warnings that the risk of volcanic ash heading over the UK could continue until Friday.
However, the Scottish government said a decrease in volcanic activity in Iceland gave hope that some flights in Scotland could resume by midweek.
The disruption is costing the travel industry millions of pounds. Several airlines are considering laying off staff because of the grounded flights.The disruption is costing the travel industry millions of pounds. Several airlines are considering laying off staff because of the grounded flights.
There is a reasonable expectation that we may have a very welcome opportunity to increase air travel ... over the next day or so Alex SalmondFirst Minister
The Scottish government said efforts were under way to take advantage of a possible "window of opportunity" for some flights in Scottish airspace in the next few days, after being informed of reports of a significant decrease in activity at the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano overnight.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "We are working to ensure airline operators can move quickly to resume flights once the cloud of ash moves away.
"Plume behaviour is very much dependant on the weather patterns and levels of volcanic activity, but there is a reasonable expectation that we may have a very welcome opportunity to increase air travel and the movement of goods and services to and from Scotland and our islands over the next day or so."
This is not a problem for me to stay here two nights, three nights PiotrStranded passenger 'No choice' but to stay at airport
The Met Office has advised that the volcano is now less active than previously, although weather patterns continue to blow volcanic ash towards the UK.The Met Office has advised that the volcano is now less active than previously, although weather patterns continue to blow volcanic ash towards the UK.
This is not a problem for me to stay here two nights, three nights PiotrStranded passenger 'No choice' but to stay at airport
Ryanair and Flybe have already cancelled all fights on Tuesday.Ryanair and Flybe have already cancelled all fights on Tuesday.
Supply teachers have been called in to cover for teachers unable to return from holiday in time for the first day after the Easter break.Supply teachers have been called in to cover for teachers unable to return from holiday in time for the first day after the Easter break.
In South Lanarkshire, 242 teachers and 14 support staff are stranded abroad and East Renfrewshire Council said it has 132 teachers off work, more than 10% of teaching staff, but has kept all its schools open.In South Lanarkshire, 242 teachers and 14 support staff are stranded abroad and East Renfrewshire Council said it has 132 teachers off work, more than 10% of teaching staff, but has kept all its schools open.
St Ninian's High School in Giffnock has the county's largest number of stranded teachers with 23 off work on Monday.St Ninian's High School in Giffnock has the county's largest number of stranded teachers with 23 off work on Monday.
Education director John Wilson said: "We have swung into action with pre-prepared business continuity plans, including deploying supply teachers."Education director John Wilson said: "We have swung into action with pre-prepared business continuity plans, including deploying supply teachers."
'Wanting home''Wanting home'
Susan Nicolson, a school teacher from Edinburgh, has been stranded in New York since Thursday following a five-day break.Susan Nicolson, a school teacher from Edinburgh, has been stranded in New York since Thursday following a five-day break.
She told BBC Radio Scotland: "We're now booked on the first flight out on Wednesday and we just have to keep checking the website.She told BBC Radio Scotland: "We're now booked on the first flight out on Wednesday and we just have to keep checking the website.
"We're trying to stay optimistic because if we don't get out on Wednesday we are going to be a bit stuck for money.""We're trying to stay optimistic because if we don't get out on Wednesday we are going to be a bit stuck for money."
She said three colleagues had been able to return to work, but the school had been "supportive".She said three colleagues had been able to return to work, but the school had been "supportive".
Mrs Nicolson said: "There are definitely worse places to be stuck, but we're at the point now that we just want to be back home and I think our families want us to be back home too."Mrs Nicolson said: "There are definitely worse places to be stuck, but we're at the point now that we just want to be back home and I think our families want us to be back home too."
A Polish man who has been stuck at Glasgow Airport for two days told BBC Scotland he felt he could not leave in case a flight became available.A Polish man who has been stuck at Glasgow Airport for two days told BBC Scotland he felt he could not leave in case a flight became available.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latestEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest
Piotr, 38, said: "This is not a problem for me to stay here two nights, three nights."Piotr, 38, said: "This is not a problem for me to stay here two nights, three nights."
In the Western Isles, a 34-year-old woman was flown by Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter to Glasgow's Southern General Hospital on Sunday evening, after experiencing complications with her pregnancy.In the Western Isles, a 34-year-old woman was flown by Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter to Glasgow's Southern General Hospital on Sunday evening, after experiencing complications with her pregnancy.
Royal Navy ship Ark Royal, which was taking part in the Joint Warrior exercise off the north east coast of Scotland, has been deployed to help get stranded travellers from Spain, which is not affected by the flight ban, to the UK.Royal Navy ship Ark Royal, which was taking part in the Joint Warrior exercise off the north east coast of Scotland, has been deployed to help get stranded travellers from Spain, which is not affected by the flight ban, to the UK.
Some scientists have warned the eruption from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano could continue for months.Some scientists have warned the eruption from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano could continue for months.
Restrictions on Scottish airports were been lifted briefly on Friday before being quickly re-imposed as the cloud changed shape and direction.Restrictions on Scottish airports were been lifted briefly on Friday before being quickly re-imposed as the cloud changed shape and direction.
A British Airways flight from New York and a Thomas Cook flight from Orlando were allowed to land at Glasgow Airport on Saturday morning.A British Airways flight from New York and a Thomas Cook flight from Orlando were allowed to land at Glasgow Airport on Saturday morning.
Dust from the cloud has fallen to the ground in some areas of Scotland, but the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has said it does not pose a risk to health.Dust from the cloud has fallen to the ground in some areas of Scotland, but the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has said it does not pose a risk to health.