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UK airports permitted to reopen UK airports permitted to reopen
(10 minutes later)
All UK airports have been given the go-ahead to reopen, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said.All UK airports have been given the go-ahead to reopen, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said.
He said that, after six days of disruption due to the cloud of volcanic ash, it would now be up to airlines to bring schedules back on track. After six days of disruption due to a cloud of volcanic ash from an Icelandic volcano, airlines can now start a phased return to flight schedules.
The decision followed consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft.The decision followed consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft.
BAA, which operates many of the UK's airports, said people should contact their airlines before travelling.BAA, which operates many of the UK's airports, said people should contact their airlines before travelling.
"Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening, and we will do everything we can to support airlines and get people moving," a spokesman said."Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening, and we will do everything we can to support airlines and get people moving," a spokesman said.
Some restrictions will remain on flights in UK airspace, but they will be much less severe than before.Some restrictions will remain on flights in UK airspace, but they will be much less severe than before.
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 AirwaysThere 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."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This solution has been reached as a result of the close working between the government, the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines and the manufacturers, and will allow the thousands of UK citizens stranded abroad to return home to their families.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This solution has been reached as a result of the close working between the government, the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines and the manufacturers, and will allow the thousands of UK citizens stranded abroad to return home to their families.
"We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely; as we have said throughout safety is our primary concern," he added."We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely; as we have said throughout safety is our primary concern," he added.
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.
The first of these, arriving from Vancouver, landed at Heathrow shortly before 2200 BST.The first of these, arriving from Vancouver, landed at Heathrow shortly before 2200 BST.
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 updatesUSEFUL 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."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."
EasyJet said it planned to resume "some services across the UK and continental Europe from tomorrow morning," but added that the level of disruption meant it would be several days before the schedule returned to normal.EasyJet said it planned to resume "some services across the UK and continental Europe from tomorrow morning," but added that the level of disruption meant it would be several days before the schedule returned to normal.
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.
The UK Border Agency warned people to expect queues as staff attempt to process large numbers of returning travellers.
A spokesman said: "We are manning as many passport desks as possible."
In other developments:In other developments:
An estimated 150,000 Britons have been stranded by the six-day shutdown of UK airspace to commercial flights.
  • The Joint Council for Qualifications says exams may be rescheduled for students caught up in the travel chaos, while the pay of Devon teachers stranded for the same reasons may be docked
    • An estimated 150,000 Britons were 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.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.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?
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