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NI holidaymakers in flight return NI holidaymakers in flight return
(about 7 hours later)
The first set of stranded NI holidaymakers have arrived back on a flight into Belfast.The first set of stranded NI holidaymakers have arrived back on a flight into Belfast.
A Thomas Cook flight from Lanzarote arrived at about 2230 BST on Tuesday night at Belfast International Airport.A Thomas Cook flight from Lanzarote arrived at about 2230 BST on Tuesday night at Belfast International Airport.
A second Thomas Cook flight from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt is expected to arrive at the airport after midnight. A second Thomas Cook flight from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt arrived at the airport after midnight.
Uel Hoey from Belfast International Airport said he hoped some outbound flights would resume on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport said he hoped some outbound flights would resume on Wednesday.
George Best Belfast City Airport has said it will not resume operations until it reviews the situation on Wednesday morning. George Best Belfast City Airport said it would not resume operations until it reviewed the situation on Wednesday morning.
It follows the earlier announcement on Tuesday evening that restrictions on UK airspace had been eased from 2200 BST.It follows the earlier announcement on Tuesday evening that restrictions on UK airspace had been eased from 2200 BST.
Belfast International and City airports said no more flights would leave on Tuesday.
A Belfast International spokesman said he hoped some flights would depart from the airport on Wednesday morning and that passengers should continue to check with airline websites.A Belfast International spokesman said he hoped some flights would depart from the airport on Wednesday morning and that passengers should continue to check with airline websites.
It is estimated 120,000 passengers have been affected by the closure of Northern Ireland airspace which has been due to a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano.It is estimated 120,000 passengers have been affected by the closure of Northern Ireland airspace which has been due to a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano.
The Civil Aviation Authority announced new guidelines on Tuesday evening saying there would be a gradual reintroduction of flights in UK airspace from 2200 BST.The Civil Aviation Authority announced new guidelines on Tuesday evening saying there would be a gradual reintroduction of flights in UK airspace from 2200 BST.
A CAA spokeswoman said some no-fly-zones with a higher density of volcanic ash would remain. She said the decision had been taken after consultation with the Irish aviation authorities.A CAA spokeswoman said some no-fly-zones with a higher density of volcanic ash would remain. She said the decision had been taken after consultation with the Irish aviation authorities.
Transport minister Lord Adonis said after the ban was lifted it would be up to airlines to bring flight schedules back on track.Transport minister Lord Adonis said after the ban was lifted it would be up to airlines to bring flight schedules back on track.
BAA, which operates many of the UK's airports, has said people should contact their airlines before travelling.BAA, which operates many of the UK's airports, has said people should contact their airlines before travelling.
"Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening, and we will do everything we can to support airlines and get people moving," a spokesman said."Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening, and we will do everything we can to support airlines and get people moving," a spokesman said.
The Irish Aviation Authority said full services may take up to three days to recover from the disruption of the past six days.The Irish Aviation Authority said full services may take up to three days to recover from the disruption of the past six days.
It is expected there will be limited flight operations from Dublin airport on Wednesday and Shannon airport has confirmed it is to remain open on Wednesday and Thursday.It is expected there will be limited flight operations from Dublin airport on Wednesday and Shannon airport has confirmed it is to remain open on Wednesday and Thursday.
Some restrictions will remain on flights in UK airspace, but they will be much less severe than before.Some restrictions will remain on flights in UK airspace, but they will be much less severe than before.
This is the sixth day of flight cancellations across the UK.This is the sixth day of flight cancellations across the UK.
Thousands of passengers have been stranded with planes grounded across Europe as a result of the ash cloud.Thousands of passengers have been stranded with planes grounded across Europe as a result of the ash cloud.
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
More than 6.8m passengers have been affected so far and 63,000 flights have been cancelled since Thursday.More than 6.8m passengers have been affected so far and 63,000 flights have been cancelled since Thursday.
Experts say the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano system could jam aircraft engines, as has happened in previous incidents of planes flying into plumes of volcanic ash.Experts say the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano system could jam aircraft engines, as has happened in previous incidents of planes flying into plumes of volcanic ash.