This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8631326.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Some flights amid ash cloud fears First flights run after ash chaos
(30 minutes later)
Some flights are taking off in Scotland, where airports have reopened, although there are fears of a new volcanic ash cloud spreading to the UK. Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days without flights because of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The first flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow both headed for Stornaway after 0700 BST - among a handful of domestic flights scheduled from Scotland. The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow both headed for Stornaway after 0700 BST - among a handful of internal flights scheduled from Scotland.
Nats said the new ash cloud is causing uncertainty and there was now a worsening situation in some areas. But Nats said a new ash cloud was causing uncertainty and there was now a worsening situation in some areas.
The first international flight due to leave Glasgow has been cancelled. Belfast Airport said it hoped to start flights to Scotland from 1000 BST.
Belfast Airport has said it expects no flights during the morning except those heading for the Isle of Man. It said if it got the go ahead from Nats, a Flybe flight to Glasgow would leave at 1015 BST.
Although Scottish airspace is open most of the flights are said to be to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.Although Scottish airspace is open most of the flights are said to be to destinations elsewhere in Scotland.
The first international flight from Glasgow was due to depart at midday going to Reykjavik, in Iceland, but was cancelled before 0800 BST. EXPERT ADVICE class="" href="/2/hi/health/8624806.stm">Latest health advice class="" href="/2/hi/business/8621779.stm">Latest: Air passenger rights class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8627253.stm">Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/public/air.shtml">Travel latest
The first international flight from Glasgow is due to head for Reykjavik in Iceland at midday.
Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not travel to the airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not travel to the airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.
Changing conditions At Glasgow, there was only a trickle of passengers checking in at the airport for the Stornoway flight which carried about 30 passengers.
At Glasgow, there was only a trickle of passengers checking in at the airport for the Stornoway flight.
And some of the check-in desks were manned but there were no queues.And some of the check-in desks were manned but there were no queues.
A flight from Aberdeen to Newcastle is set to depart at 0825 BST. A flight from Aberdeen to Newcastle was set to depart at 0825 BST.
Flights from Newcastle are expected to head to Aberdeen and the Isle of Man.Flights from Newcastle are expected to head to Aberdeen and the Isle of Man.
In other developments:
  • UK airports operator BAA says the flight restrictions are costing it between £5m and £6m a day
  • HMS Albion arrives in the Spanish port of Santander to rescue stranded service personnel
  • Newcastle Airport says only eight flights out of a normal programme of 130 will be operational
  • Some flights at Newcastle airport restarted at 0700 BST
  • Manchester Airport is due to reopen at 1300 BST
  • Some flights will resume at Bristol Airport at 1300 BST
  • Cardiff airspace remains closed until 1300 BST, after which six outbound flights may go ahead depart from Cardiff airport
Nats said it would report again at 0900 BST.Nats said it would report again at 0900 BST.
It said more airspace over England was expected to become available from 1300 BST although not as far south as London's main airports.It said more airspace over England was expected to become available from 1300 BST although not as far south as London's main airports.
Changing conditions
In a statement it said: "The volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK.In a statement it said: "The volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK.
"This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working.""This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working."
British Airways has cancelled all short-haul flights on Tuesday but said it hoped to run long-haul flights scheduled to depart after 1600 BST depending on a "full and permanent" opening of airspace.British Airways has cancelled all short-haul flights on Tuesday but said it hoped to run long-haul flights scheduled to depart after 1600 BST depending on a "full and permanent" opening of airspace.
It has emerged that Nats, in discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority, has cleared the airspace over the ash cloud for "overflights" - those that fly over the cloud at altitude.
The move will allow flights between Europe or the Middle East and north America, which would normally fly through UK airspace.
It will also allow flights between open airports in Scotland and northern England, and those open in mainland Europe.
A Nats spokeswoman said: "The CAA has issued guidance in the early hours of Tuesday morning which enables aircraft to fly at a safe distance above the ash cloud.
"This will enable flights between airports that are not within the contaminated air, provided they can climb to altitudes to get above the ash cloud whilst in clear air."