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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK airports set to reopen | UK airports set to reopen |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| All UK airports can reopen from 2200 BST on Tuesday, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said. | All UK airports can reopen from 2200 BST on Tuesday, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said. |
| He added that after the ban was lifted it would be up to airlines to bring flight schedules back on track. | He added that after the ban was lifted it would be up to airlines to bring flight schedules back on track. |
| The statement was delivered after consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash. | The statement was delivered after consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash. |
| Some restrictions will remain in place, but they will be much smaller than those enforced under the current ban. | Some restrictions will remain in place, but they will be much smaller than those enforced under the current ban. |
| Dame Deirdre Hutton, of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said there had been detailed consultation with experts to reassess the tolerance of planes to the ash cloud. | Dame Deirdre Hutton, of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said there had been detailed consultation with experts to reassess the tolerance of planes to the ash cloud. |
| The CAA said it was a "situation without precedent" and that decisions had been made based on "thorough gathering of data and analysis". | The CAA said it was a "situation without precedent" and that decisions had been made based on "thorough gathering of data and analysis". |
| 'Increased tolerance' | 'Increased tolerance' |
| "The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash," the CAA said. | "The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash," the CAA said. |
| "Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas." | "Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas." |
| Lord Adonis emphasised that safety remained paramount. | Lord Adonis emphasised that safety remained paramount. |
| There will be plenty of time for a post mortem of what has happened Willie Walsh, British Airways | There will be plenty of time for a post mortem of what has happened Willie Walsh, British Airways |
| He said: "It is essential that we guarantee to the travelling public that the airlines are safe and that planes can safely fly." | He said: "It is essential that we guarantee to the travelling public that the airlines are safe and that planes can safely fly." |
| The decision means that long-haul BA flights currently in the air will be able to land at London Heathrow. | The decision means that long-haul BA flights currently in the air will be able to land at London Heathrow. |
| British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said he was pleased that the UK airspace was due to open, but it would take weeks to get back to normal levels of operation. | British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said he was pleased that the UK airspace was due to open, but it would take weeks to get back to normal levels of operation. |
| "We're now at British Airways going to start the difficult task of getting our stranded customers back home but I think this is an airlift that is unprecedented but we will make every effort to get our people back home." | "We're now at British Airways going to start the difficult task of getting our stranded customers back home but I think this is an airlift that is unprecedented but we will make every effort to get our people back home." |
| USEFUL LINKS Latest health advice Air passenger rights Travel news Foreign Office advice (external link) Live: Volcano updates | |
| He said "lessons can be learned" and added: "There will be plenty of time for a post mortem of what has happened over the last few days." | He said "lessons can be learned" and added: "There will be plenty of time for a post mortem of what has happened over the last few days." |
| He said parts of the UK airspace could have been opened several days ago. "My personal belief is that we could have safely continued operating for a period of time. I think there were occasions when the decision to close airspace could have been justified." | |
| Flights have been grounded across the UK and much of Europe since Thursday following the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull. | Flights have been grounded across the UK and much of Europe since Thursday following the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull. |
| The eruption sent vast amounts of ash into the atmosphere which poses a threat to aircraft jet engines. | The eruption sent vast amounts of ash into the atmosphere which poses a threat to aircraft jet engines. |
| Despite the lifting of the ban, it will be some time before flights return to normal. | Despite the lifting of the ban, it will be some time before flights return to normal. |
| In other developments: | |
| |
| An estimated 150,000 Britons have been stranded by the six-day shutdown of UK airspace to commercial flights. | |
| Anyone concerned about the safety of a British national stranded abroad can call a Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000, or visit its website. | |
| Stranded Britons should contact their local embassy, high commission or consulate. | |
| Are you travelling to the UK tonight? Do you have friends or relatives who are stuck at airports and trying to get back to the UK? | Are you travelling to the UK tonight? Do you have friends or relatives who are stuck at airports and trying to get back to the UK? |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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