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First flights run after ash chaos First flights run after ash chaos
(40 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.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. The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow both headed for Stornoway 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. Air traffic control body Nats said a new ash cloud meant uncertainty and the situation was worsening in some areas.
Belfast Airport said it hoped to start flights to Scotland from 1000 BST.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. 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 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
The first international flight from Glasgow is due to head for Reykjavik in Iceland at midday.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 to travel to airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.Schedules are constantly changing and passengers have been advised not to travel to airports until they have checked with their airline or tour operator.
At Glasgow, there was only a trickle of passengers checking in for the Stornoway flight, which carried about 30 passengers.At Glasgow, there was only a trickle of passengers checking in for the Stornoway flight, which carried about 30 passengers.
Some of the check-in desks were staffed, but had no queues.Some of the check-in desks were staffed, but had 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.
But Nats said flights in southern England were unlikely to resume on Tuesday.
The spread of volcanic ash has affected large swathes of Europe for the past five days.
The event has caused huge disruption for air travellers, many of whom have embarked on long and costly journeys over land and sea to get home.
In other developments: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 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 conditionsChanging 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 says it hopes 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 says it hopes 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.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. 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.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.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.""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."