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First flights run after ash chaos | |
(30 minutes later) | |
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 planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow both headed for Stornaway after 0700 BST - among a handful of internal flights scheduled from Scotland. | |
But Nats said a new ash cloud was causing uncertainty and there was now a worsening situation in some areas. | |
Belfast Airport said it hoped to start flights to Scotland from 1000 BST. | |
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. |
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. |
At Glasgow, there was only a trickle of passengers checking in at the airport for the Stornoway flight which carried about 30 passengers. | |
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 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: | |
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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." |