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First flights run after ash chaos First flights run after ash chaos
(41 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 Stornoway after 0700 BST - among a handful of internal flights scheduled from Scotland. The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow were among a few internal flights scheduled from Scotland.
Air traffic control body Nats said a new ash cloud meant uncertainty and the situation was worsening 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. Airlines are still reviewing their plans with Newcastle Airport running just eight of 130 scheduled flights.
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 latest Live: Volcano updates
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.
EXPERT ADVICE Latest health advice Latest: Air passenger rights Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud Travel latest Live: Volcano updates
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.
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 the south of the UK were unlikely to resume on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Manchester, Birmingham, Luton and East Midlands airports will remain closed until at least 1900 BST.
The hope had been that the intensity of volcanic eruptions was reducing, but the emergence of a new ash cloud has meant plans to reopen British airspace have been revised.
Jonathan Astill, of Nats, said the new ash cloud was a "significant change" to the situation on Monday.
TUESDAY'S AIRLINE DISRUPTION BA - no short-haul services on Tuesday, but some long-haul after 1600BST EasyJet - flights to/from northern Europe, including UK, cancelled until 1700BST. Limited number operating in southern Europe Ryanair - flights cancelled to/from the UK, Ireland, and much of northern Europe until 1300BST on Wed 21 Flybe - flights scheduled between Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Newcastle from 1005BST bmi - plans to resume UK domestic flights from Heathrow at 1900BST and from regional UK airports from 1300BST bmibaby - Certain internal and European flights operating, some cancelled *All passengers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport
He told BBC News: "The Met Office is reporting a further ash cloud that is coming down from Iceland and then covering the UK progressively during the day."
Flights in the south of the UK are unlikely to resume on Tuesday, he said.
In a statement, Nats said: "The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation today will continue to be variable."
It said the latest Met Office information meant part of Scottish airspace, including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports, will continue to be available from 1300 to 1900 BST, and also south to Newcastle Airport.
However, there will be no flights from Glasgow after 1300 BST.
The spread of volcanic ash has affected large swathes of Europe for the past five days.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.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.
An estimated 150,000 Britons have been stranded overseas as a result of the problems.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said airports were "taking advantage of the window of opportunity" as the impact of the volcano ash cloud temporarily lessened, but stressed that passenger safety would remain "paramount".
He added: "In the meantime I think it's important that everybody knows that if they can get to a Channel port we can get them across from Europe to the United Kingdom."
In other developments:In other developments:
Nats said more airspace over England was expected to become available from 1300 BST although not as far south as London's main airports.Nats 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."