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Airspace in northern UK to reopen Airspace in northern UK to reopen
(20 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.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.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.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.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."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.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Latest: Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latestEXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Latest: Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest
"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."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 holidaymakersStranded 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 is 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.
Tourists in Calais: 'It took three and a half days to get from Turkey to the Channel'
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.
The Ministry of Defence said most of the soldiers were coming home from Afghanistan.
A spokesman said HMS Ocean was in southern British waters on standby and HMS Ark Royal - deployed on exercise off the north west coast of Scotland - was sailing south to provide further help as required.
The Met Office has warned the unpredictable nature of the volcano's activity meant there was still cause for concern.The Met Office has warned the unpredictable nature of the volcano's activity meant there was still cause for concern.
A spokesman said although eruptions subsided on Monday morning to between 4,000 and 5,000ft, they had actually increased over the past two hours to 10,000ft.A spokesman said although eruptions subsided on Monday morning to between 4,000 and 5,000ft, they had actually increased over the past two hours to 10,000ft.
At its height, eruptions peaked at 30,000ft, the spokesman said.At its height, eruptions peaked at 30,000ft, the spokesman said.
In other developments: