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Scottish airspace set to reopen Scottish airspace set to reopen
(about 12 hours 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 from Iceland. Thousands of passengers remain stranded as a result of the ban but experts are now assessing the impact of a new cloud of volcanic ash on UK airspace.
However, Nats said it expected mainland Scottish airports to open again at 0700 BST on Tuesday.However, Nats said it expected mainland Scottish airports to open again at 0700 BST on Tuesday.
Scottish airspace should reopen at the same time, along with an area south to a line between Teeside and Blackpool.Scottish airspace should reopen at the same time, along with an area south to a line between Teeside and Blackpool.
Nats said: "This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700.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).""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)."
Speaking late on Monday night a spokesman said: "The volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK."
Nats said passengers should contact their airlines to find out how the latest developments would affect their travel plans.Nats said passengers should contact their airlines to find out how the latest developments would affect their travel plans.
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
Loganair plans to operate 75% of its flights on Tuesday, but Ryanair and Flybe have already cancelled all fights on Tuesday.Loganair plans to operate 75% of its flights on Tuesday, but Ryanair and Flybe have already cancelled all fights on Tuesday.
A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "We strongly advise passengers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport, as not all flights will operate."A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "We strongly advise passengers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport, as not all flights will operate."
The Scottish government is planning to launch a helpline at 0900 BST on Tuesday to offer advice to travellers and their families affected by the disruption.The Scottish government is planning to launch a helpline at 0900 BST on Tuesday to offer advice to travellers and their families affected by the disruption.
The service will be available to travellers stranded overseas, and to concerned relatives calling from the UK. However, the Foreign Office helpline will remain the main point of contact for travellers needing specific assistance while overseas.The service will be available to travellers stranded overseas, and to concerned relatives calling from the UK. However, the Foreign Office helpline will remain the main point of contact for travellers needing specific assistance while overseas.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said she had been reassured that contingency arrangements were in place where required, to maintain essential medical services.Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said she had been reassured that contingency arrangements were in place where required, to maintain essential medical services.
Absent teachersAbsent teachers
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.
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 had 134 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 had 134 teachers off work, more than 10% of teaching staff, but has kept all its schools open.
Glasgow City Council said 278 (2.78%) teaching and support staff were affected by the travel disruption.Glasgow City Council said 278 (2.78%) teaching and support staff were affected by the travel disruption.
North Lanarkshire Council said 243, including 17 head teachers and 56 support staff, were absent.North Lanarkshire Council said 243, including 17 head teachers and 56 support staff, were absent.
There were 115 teachers absent due to air traffic disruption in Angus, 80 in West Dunbartonshire, 163 in Falkirk and 53 in Clackmannanshire.There were 115 teachers absent due to air traffic disruption in Angus, 80 in West Dunbartonshire, 163 in Falkirk and 53 in Clackmannanshire.
Inverclyde Council said 68 teaching and support staff were absent, including four head teachers.Inverclyde Council said 68 teaching and support staff were absent, including four head teachers.
'Wanting home''Wanting home'
Susan Nicolson, a school teacher from Alloa, has been stranded in New York since Thursday following a five-day break.Susan Nicolson, a school teacher from Alloa, 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 unable to return to work, but the school had been "supportive".She said three colleagues had been unable 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."
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.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.
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, who attended the Cobra meeting about the consequences of the volcano, said: "There are many Scots stranded abroad and getting them back to these shores is my top priority right now.Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, who attended the Cobra meeting about the consequences of the volcano, said: "There are many Scots stranded abroad and getting them back to these shores is my top priority right now.
"We will not fly in the face of safety advice but we will look for ways to get people home by road, rail and sea."We will not fly in the face of safety advice but we will look for ways to get people home by road, rail and sea.
"Virgin and East Coast Trains are putting on extra trains and extensions. Stagecoach has doubled to 12 the number of cross border coaches."Virgin and East Coast Trains are putting on extra trains and extensions. Stagecoach has doubled to 12 the number of cross border coaches.
"The prime minister has been holding talks with the Spanish prime minister to see if we can arrange for Britons stranded in places such as Asia and America to fly back into Spain while their airports are accepting flights.""The prime minister has been holding talks with the Spanish prime minister to see if we can arrange for Britons stranded in places such as Asia and America to fly back into Spain while their airports are accepting flights."
Navy deployedNavy deployed
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 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 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.
The Scottish government helpline number is 0800 027 0504 or from overseas +44 800 027 0504 Note. The number will be live from 0900 BST on Tuesday.The Scottish government helpline number is 0800 027 0504 or from overseas +44 800 027 0504 Note. The number will be live from 0900 BST on Tuesday.