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| Airspace in northern UK to reopen | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Airspace in Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England is due to reopen on Tuesday after days of travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud. | |
| The air traffic control body, Nats, said from 0700 BST on Tuesday airspace south to a line between Teesside and Blackpool will reopen. | |
| It added that mainland Scottish airports would be open. | It added that mainland Scottish airports would be open. |
| Nats said restrictions to airspace above the rest of England and Wales could be lifted later on Tuesday. | |
| In a statement, Nats added: "The volcanic eruption has reduced and the volcano is not currently emitting ash to altitudes that will affect the UK. | |
| "Assuming there are no further significant ash emissions, we are now looking at a continuously improving situation. | |
| "This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700 local. | "This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700 local. |
| "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." | "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." |
| It went on: "It is now for airports and airlines to decide how best to utilise this opportunity. Passengers should contact their airlines to find out how this will affect their travel plans." | |
| Stranded holidaymakers | |
| Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears particles in the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano could cause engines to shut down. | Planes were first grounded in the UK at midday on Thursday amid fears particles in the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano could cause engines to shut down. |
| About 150,000 Britons are currently stranded abroad, according to travel agents' association, Abta. | About 150,000 Britons are currently stranded abroad, according to travel agents' association, Abta. |
| Earlier, the UK's emergency committee Cobra discussed options to address the travel chaos and will hold another meeting later. | Earlier, the UK's emergency committee Cobra discussed options to address the travel chaos and will hold another meeting later. |
| The UK government are deploying three Royal Navy ships to help bring stranded Britons home. | The UK government are deploying three Royal Navy ships to help bring stranded Britons home. |
| The BBC understands 500 British soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles are being airlifted by chartered civilian jets from Cyprus to Spain, before sailing to the UK aboard HMS Albion. | The BBC understands 500 British soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles are being airlifted by chartered civilian jets from Cyprus to Spain, before sailing to the UK aboard HMS Albion. |
| The ship, due to arrive in the Spanish port of Santander on Tuesday morning, may also carry civilians on its return. | The ship, due to arrive in the Spanish port of Santander on Tuesday morning, may also carry civilians on its return. |