Nats has just released a statement saying that:
“The volcanic eruption has reduced and the volcano is not currently emitting ash to altitudes that will affect the UK. Assuming there are no further significant ash emissions we are now looking at a continuously improving situation.
"Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday.
"From 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday, Scottish airspace will be open, and south to a line between Teesside and Blackpool. Mainland Scottish airports will be open.
"This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700 local; however, the latest Met Office advice is that the contaminated area will continue to move south with the possibility that restrictions to airspace above England and Wales, including the London area, may be lifted later tomorrow (Tuesday).
"We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 2100 (local time), today.
"It is now for airports and airlines to decide how best to utilise this opportunity. Passengers should contact their airlines to find out how this will affect their travel plans."
Flybe quickly announced it would be "taking to the air again tomorrow as some airports re-open."
It intends to start operating services again from Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Newcastle from 1005 tomorrow, Tuesday April 20.
The first flight will take off from Belfast City at 1005 heading for Edinburgh at the start of what is expected to be a busy day of flying as disrupted travellers have the opportunity to start moving once more.
Flybe will operate the following services tomorrow with tickets on sale now and all flight details available at www.flybe.com:
BE 117 Belfast City - Aberdeen dep 1045
BE 118 Aberdeen - Belfast City dep 1215
BE 127 Belfast City - Glasgow dep 1015
BE 128 Glasgow - Belfast City dep 1125
BE 129 Belfast City - Glasgow dep 1635
BE 130 Glasgow - Belfast City dep 1745
BE 131 Belfast - Glasgow dep 1845
BE 132 Glasgow - Belfast City dep 1955
BE 331 Belfast City - Inverness dep 1225
BE 332 Inverness - Belfast City dep 1100
BE 427 Belfast City - Newcastle dep 1725
BE 428 Newcastle - Belfast City dep 1845
BE 684 Edinburgh - Belfast City dep 1005
BE 685 Belfast City - Edinburgh dep 1425
BE 688 Edinburgh - Belfast City dep 1605
BE 689 Belfast City - Edinburgh dep 1725
BE 690 Edinburgh - Belfast City dep 1840
BE 691 Belfast City - Edinburgh dep 1955
Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer says: "We have of course been as frustrated as our travellers at this unprecedented disruption to air services as a result of last week’s vocanic eruption in Iceland and our aircraft have been crewed and ready to take off for days, just waiting for the go-ahead.
"Whilst the picture for the remainder of the week currently remains unclear, we are hopeful that the worst might be behind us, but we nevertheless continue to remain at the mercy the unpredictable weather conditions and any ongoing activity of the Icelandic volcano."
Passengers due to fly on any flights not confirmed to fly tomorrow should not to go to their airport of departure.
In addition, Flybe’s franchise partner, Loganair, has announced it will be operating 75% of all its flights as scheduled tomorrow. Booking and full details of available flights on www.flybe.com.
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Tom Otley
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A updated graphic illustrating the extent of the volcanic ash cloud as of 1300 today, as forecast by the volcanic ash advisory (click to enlarge).
- The straight blue lines show daily published flight routes for eastbound and westbound transatlantic flights.
- Blue arrows show the high altitude global jet streams, while the airplane graphics indicate those aircraft flying at the time.
The graphic was created by Sabre Flight Explorer from information provided by the Icelandic Met Office and issued by the VAAC, London.
