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Scottish airspace 'set to reopen' Scottish airspace set to reopen
(30 minutes later)
Scottish airspace will reopen from 0700 BST on Tuesday, air traffic control service Nats has announced.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. Thousands of passengers remain stranded as a result of the ban on most flights to and from Scotland because of volcanic ash from Iceland.
Hundreds of school teachers are thought to be among the Scots stranded abroad. However, Nats said it expected mainland Scottish airports to open again at 0700 BST on Tuesday.
The disruption is costing the travel industry millions of pounds. Several airlines are considering laying off staff because of the grounded flights. Scottish airspace should reopen at the same time, along with an area south to a line between Teeside and Blackpool.
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. Nats said: "This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700.
"However, the latest Met Office advice is that the contaminated area will continue to move south with the possibility that restrictions to airspace above England and Wales, including the London area, may be lifted later tomorrow (Tuesday)."
This is not a problem for me to stay here two nights, three nights PiotrStranded passenger 'No choice' but to stay at airportThis 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. Nats said passengers should contact their airlines to find out how the latest developments would affect their travel plans.
Loganair plans to operate 75% of its flights on Tuesday, but Ryanair and Flybe have already cancelled all fights on Tuesday.
The disruption is costing the travel industry millions of pounds.
Hundreds of school teachers are thought to be among the Scots stranded abroad.
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.
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
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.
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.